New data shows 2.4 million rise in patient-GP surgery
contact.
Health Secretary underlined the Scottish
Government's commitment to shift the balance of care to community
settings, as new data shows an increase in the number of
times people have accessed care at their GP surgery.
Statistics released by Public Health Scotland today, show
patients in Scotland had 33.98 million direct encounters with
staff in General Practice between October 2024 and September 2025
– an increase of 2.4 million on the same 12-month period in
2023-24.
GP numbers have increased in Scotland and to make it easier for
people to access GP services and support recruitment, the
Scottish Government is investing an additional £531 million of
newly agreed funding in General Practice over the next three
years, subject to Parliament agreeing future budgets.
Health Secretary said:
“We are determined to improve access to primary care, and I
welcome these figures which show more people are accessing care
at their GP surgery. I am grateful to our hard-working GPs
and all practice staff for the care they provide.
“And while GP numbers have risen in Scotland over the last year,
we have put a plan in place to go further.
"We have confirmed that we will invest £531 million
over the next three years to significantly boost recruitment
and help deliver the capacity needed to improve
services for patients. This is the largest-ever investment
in core GP services in Scotland.
"This will be supported by our commitment to open 15 new GP
walk-in centres providing care from 12pm-8pm seven days per week,
making it easier for people to get the care they need in a way
that works for them.”
BACKGROUND
