Research has shown that GP access issues are “not just for Christmas” and that there is a “postcode” lottery throughout the year.
NHS 24 normally runs a public awareness campaign reminding people that their local surgery is closed for a number of days over the festive period.
However, research carried out by the independent think-tank Reform Scotland has shown that there is a postcode lottery throughout the year when it comes to obtaining access to a GP in Scotland.
It revealed that, while some practices allow patients to book appointments up to six weeks in advance, others only allow appointments to be booked on the day.
Also, only 39% advertise extended hours on their websites and even then there can be a huge variation in the extended hours offered.
Reform Scotland’s research director, Alison Payne, said: “At this time of year, it is especially important that people are aware of when their GP practice is open and what procedures they should follow should they need a GP when the surgery is closed.
“Therefore, it is astonishing that, in 2014, only 67% of surgeries have a website. This also highlights that issues around GP access are not just for Christmas.”
She added that, in 2010, the Royal College of General Practitioners, in partnership with the Scottish Government, developed a toolkit highlighting the benefits of allowing patients to order repeat prescriptions and book appointments online.
However, four years later, only 51% offer repeat prescriptions online and 10% offer online booking of appointments.
Ms Payne said: “Reform Scotland believes that it is simply unacceptable that there is such a wide variation in the way people can access GP services across Scotland, a variation that has nothing to do with the size or geography of the area covered by different practices.
“Reform Scotland believes that giving individuals greater choice over their GP practice would mean that people were able to easily walk away from GP practices they felt did not provide services that suited them.
“We don’t envisage that such a policy would lead to a mass exodus of patients from GP practices, but the potential that they could would help ensure that services developed to meet their needs.”