A private healthcare firm has offered to ease the GPs crisis in Aberdeen – by charging people £100 for a 15-minute appointment.
But YourGP’s plans to target the city have raised fresh concerns over the recruitment of family doctors – and led to claims the Scottish Government is “failing in its duty” to patients.
The city’s Brimmond Medical Practice is due to close at the end of this month following the retirement of three of its partners and difficulties finding staff to take over.
NHS Grampian confirmed most of its patient list was being shared between the existing Gilbert Road Medical Group and New Dyce Medial Group, a new practice started by Scotstown Medical Group.
A small number of resident in Kingswells, Westhill, Kintore, Inverurie and Danestone have been asked to re-register with the GP practice closest to their residential area.
YourGP confirmed it had not come to any arrangement with the health board and would not be taking any NHS patients.
Those who can afford to register will be able to use the service as and when required, paying £100 for a 15-minute consultation, rising to £165 for half an hour.
North-east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said last night the fact the company was moving into premises in Albyn Lane should set “alarm bells” ringing.
He added: “The new private GP would not be setting up shop here unless they were confident the Scottish Government was failing in its duty.
“There has been a growing concern across the city. People are not able to register or get an appointment, doctors are not able to cover the full working day. This redoubles that concern.”
But Mark McDonald, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Donside, insisted the idea there were people unable to access GP services was not accurate.
He said: “Obviously this company believes there will be an opportunity for them to set up in Aberdeen, but I’m not aware of anybody who is unable to access GP services in the city.
“My preference would always be that people are seen by a GP with no cost to themselves. That will be the goal I will continue to work towards.”
Health Secretary Shona Robison said the country currently had a record high number of GPs and the most per head of the population in the UK.
She also highlighted First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s recent announcement that new models of care would be tested, backed by a £60million primary care fund.
Aberdeen South SNP MP Callum McCaig suggested the recruitment issues related to the high costs of living in the city and called for more affordable homes to be built to reset the balance.