This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Modern premises for GPs
18/09/2003
A package of measures to help GPs overcome the financial
obstacles that can prevent them moving to more modern
premises will come into effect today.
The measures, set out in the new GP contract, include
grants to help move GPs from old inadequate owner-occupied
or leased buildings, and money to help GPs new to the
profession fit out new premises.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Most patient contact with the NHS starts in the primary
care sector. GP practices are a vital part of that sector
and are the base from which a wide range of health services
can be provided.
"We have already invested over £50 million in
modernising primary care premises throughout Scotland. This
has helped to provide both better working conditions for
staff, and better services for patients. For example, in
Comrie in Tayside, a new Medical Centre has helped to end
sharing of consulting rooms by GPs, and has meant
additional clinics can be provided from the Centre.
"Today's announcement will help to remove some of the
remaining barriers that prevent further investment in
primary care. It will enable GP practices to continue to
modernise and upgrade their facilities to provide a quality
environment from which to provide quality patient
care."
Dr Mary Church, joint chairman of the British Medical
Association's Scottish GP Committee, said:
"The BMA welcomes this package which removes financial
obstacles which, in the past, prevented GPs from adapting
premises or moving to more modern buildings more suitable
for patients.
"The grants to adapt premises from old inadequate
buildings and money to help GPs fit out new premises were
included in the new GP contract. GPs will now have the
support and necessary resources to improve their premises
resulting in better access to services and better care for
patients."
The changes to the Statement of Fees and Allowances were
originally set out in a letter from Malcolm Chisholm and
David Love, Joint Chairman of the Scottish General
Practitioners Committee (SGPC) in May 2002, but were
subject to GP endorsement of the new GP contract, which was
received in June 2003. Three additional flexibilities have
also been announced today.
These are discretionary powers to give grants to convert
former residential accommodation back to original use, to
deficit-fund a guaranteed minimum sale price for vacated
premises, and for fitting out new premises for GPs new to
the profession.
Full details of the changes in a Health Department
letter entitled, Statement of Fees and Allowances, can be
obtained at
www.show.scot.nhs.uk
Details of the new GP contract can be found at:
www.bma.org.uk