Question reference: S6W-03375
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 30 September 2021
-
Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the British Medical Association regarding the return to face-to-face appointments in GP surgeries.
Answer
The British Medical Association (BMA) and I issued a joint statement to all practices on face-to-face appointments as a result of multiple discussions between both parties.
For many years now, in person face-to-face appointments form part of a hybrid model of options that are offered to patients including video consultations, telephone consultations and in person face-to-face appointments. The pandemic changed the balance between these appointment types. While we are clear that face to face appointments must increase we also recognise that for a number of patients they will wish to continue with telephone or video consultations. Changes to physical distancing guidance will assist practices to safely increase more face to face appointments.
Importantly the type of appointment offered should be agreed through shared decision making, balancing patient choice and autonomy, and practice circumstances/capacity and clinical judgement.
I last met with the BMA on 25 October 2021.