Health / Walk-in GP clinic to open in Lerwick
A WALK-in GP clinic will open in Lerwick in April, it has been announced.
A total of 16 centres across the country are planned by the Scottish Government as part of a pilot scheme.
They intend to offer GP-led care without the need for an appointment.
First minister John Swinney, who is currently in Shetland, said: “With centres open 12-8pm, seven days a week, and based in easily accessible locations in our communities across the country, this is part of a package addressing the 8am rush that has frustrated so many of us – easing capacity pressures on family doctors.
“By establishing a series of walk-in clinics we can ensure people are seen by a clinician at a time that works for them. Our programme will help us deliver over one million additional GP and nurse appointments.
“This complements our £531 million landmark investment in core General Practice. With GP numbers up, long waits down and new walk-in GP clinics being tested across Scotland, it is clear we are making real progress in our NHS and I am determined to continue driving forward improvements.”
Liberal Democrat election candidate for Shetland Emma Macdonald welcomed the news but warned that “there is far more still to be done” to ensure the isles get the health services they need.
“This is good news and I’m proud of the work done by NHS Shetland to get this across the line. Credit should go where it is due – it would not have been delivered without their efforts over recent months,” she said.
“At the same time I want to be clear that this boost to local GP services cannot be used as an excuse to cut back other parts of our NHS provision in Shetland, or to slow down urgent improvements that we need elsewhere.
“We still badly need full funding for the Gilbert Bain, renewal of our dental services and far more besides. This is a good day for Shetland but there is far more still to be done.”
The government said walk-ins will offer patients the opportunity to be assessed at clinics “led by GPs and staffed by highly-skilled, multidisciplinary teams”.
It added that depending on clinical need, patients may see a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner or another health professional.
During the pilot phase, the service is available to patients registered with local GP practices within the catchment of the identified sites.
One walk-in centre is already open in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh.
Outside of Lerwick, others are planned in Dundee, Benbecula, Stranraer, Hawick, Invergordon, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dunoon, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Alloa, East Ayrshire, Clydesdale and Central Fife.
More to follow…
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