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Extended hours in GP surgeries
25/06/2008
Up to £2.65 million is to be made available to allow GP practices to extended surgery opening hours with nursing support.
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said:
"Patients have told us that they need more flexibility in accessing GP appointments and we are working with GPs to deliver that. We know GPs don't work in isolation and nurses are a critical part of the care that practices provide.
"Since April, GP practices have been able to apply for extra funding to extend their opening hours to weekday evenings, early mornings or Saturday mornings. This extra £2.65 million funding will further enhance this by investing in vital nursing support during those hours."
Ms Robison made her announcement at the 2008 NHSScotland Event in Glasgow's SECC.
Now in its second year, the conference brings together over 1,000 NHS staff from frontline workers to senior management to discuss a range of key issues and share best practice.
The Minister also announced an expansion of the services provided by Scotland's community pharmacies.
She said:
"Pharmacies are already a key provider of care and advice for Scots of all ages across the country, and that's going to be expanded even further.
"Working with community pharmacists, we are introducing a smoking cessation service and a sexual health service offering free chlamydia testing and treatment and free emergency contraception.
"Both of these will make an important contribution to improving the health of Scots. By making them part of the national Community Pharmacy Contract we ensure Scots around the country can benefit from an equally high standard of care."
The new pharmacy services have been agreed as a part of an expansion to the Public Health Service that is delivered through Scotland's community pharmacies. These form part of the 2008-2009 funding settlement of the Community Pharmacy Contract.
Ms Robison added:
"Improving access to GP and pharmacy services in our communities is crucial to our vision of a more patient-centred NHS.
"Today's announcements prove we are determined to deliver on that commitment and, in the sixtieth anniversary of the NHS, will work in partnership together with health service staff to ensure we continue to improve the health of all people in Scotland."