Edinburgh and Lothian GPs see average 22 per cent increase in patient numbers
MSP calls for increased investment and fairer funding for Lothian
The size of the average GP practice in Lothian has increased by 22 per cent in the past decade due to population growth and practice closures, new figures show.
It means the number of patients each practice in the area has to look after has risen from an average of 7,573 to 9,259.
Edinburgh and Lothians East Tory MSP Miles Briggs, who obtained the statistics, described the figures as “unprecedented” compared with other parts of the country.
And he called for more investment in general practice and a funding arrangement that recognised the growing population in Edinburgh and Lothian.
He said: “Access to a GP is essential for early diagnosis of illnesses and prevents as many people going to Accident and Emergency, for non emergencies, because they can’t get a GP appointment.
“Edinburgh and the South East has the fastest growing population in Scotland and increased GP capacity is essential to meet this demand.
“However, in 2026, there are 8.7 GPs per 10,000 patients registered with GP practices in the NHS Lothian area, based on the current GP headcount of 928, compared to 2016, when there 9.5 GPs per 10,000 patients.”
The total number of registered patients in Lothian has risen by 14 per cent in the past decade, from 931,486 to 1,064,773. At the same time, there are now eight fewer practices in Lothian since 2016 - down from 123 to 115.
Mr Briggs said: “I don’t think the funding formulas take into account the kind of population shift we’re seeing. We know the pressures from population increase but we’re not getting a bespoke deal that recognises that.
“Some years ago the NHS Lothian asked for £60m to modernise general practice, but the money was never forthcoming. In fact that level of money was what was being spent across the whole country.
“General practice has continued to be underfunded. The Scottish Government said it would commit to 12 per cent of the overall health budget going to GPs, but it’s currently about 5.3 per cent, so the funding which is needed never actually comes through. We’re not seeing delivery of what’s needed.”
Mr Briggs raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament, asking what population-based investment in GP practices ministers planned to make during this session of parliament.
Health Secretary Angela Constance said responsibility for planning and delivering local services rested with NHS Lothian, which monitored population growth and change in demand and worked with practices and local partners to ensure that services met the needs of communities.
She said: “To support functions held by NHS boards such as NHS Lothian, the Scottish Government is investing a record £531 million in core general practice over three years, in addition to its annual recurrent investment of more than £1 billion. That funding supports GP practices to deliver sustainable, high-quality care and helps to ensure that primary care remains at the very heart of our national health service.
“Core GP funding is distributed through a national GP workload formula, which takes account of expected practice workload and the needs of registered patients. That helps to ensure that resources are directed towards practices that experience increased demand and serve growing populations.”