Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 28 March 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the barriers to recruitment of new GPs, such as "last man standing" clauses in their contracts.
The Scottish Government announced on 10 March 2017 that the GP Recruitment and Retention Fund will increase five-fold - from £1 million in 2016-17 to £5 million in 2017-18 as part of the wider £72 million investment to transform primary care services. This increase will fund GP training bursaries; help the expansion of the GP Returners Scheme; and means the GP Retainer reimbursement rate can be increased.
Following the considerations of the GP Premises Short Life Working Group, which examined among other issues, the Last Man Standing scenario, an implementation group has been established. This group, which includes representation from NHS Boards, BMA and Scottish Government, will review and recommend updates, where required, to the legal framework outlined in the Premises Directions. If necessary, changes to the Scottish Government Property Transactions Handbook will also be considered.