For immediate release:

GP PRACTICES TO RECEIVE FURTHER SUPPORT FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

GPs in Rutherglen and Cambuslang are eligible to apply to a new fund of £20 million to help with the costs of running their practices, the Scottish Government has unveiled.

The ‘GP Premises Sustainability Loan Scheme’ aims to ease the financial burden associated with owning a General Practice – in turn helping to improve recruitment and retention. It means that GPs who own their own premises can apply for long term interest-free loans worth up to 20% of their practice’s value.

The loan is repayable when the premises are no longer used for providing primary care medical services under an NHS contract, or when they are sold.

A total of 172 practices across Scotland have already successfully applied for loans – around 50% of the total eligible.

Last year, the Scottish Government funded the scheme with £30 million, but have now committed to increasing this by an extra £20 million.

Commenting, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey, who is also a Scottish Government health minister, said:

“This opportunity could make becoming a GP a more attractive career choice and may encourage more people to join the profession. In turn, this will make it easier for practices in Scotland to retain and recruit staff.

“Both the BMA and individual GPs have raised concerns about the financial burden and risk of owning premises. So, the Scottish Government has listened to concerns by introducing this scheme which helps to ‘de-risk’ general practice and reduce some of the up-front costs GPs can face when joining a practice.

“I would encourage eligible local GPs in Rutherglen and Cambuslang to seriously consider the scheme which may be very beneficial to their practice.”

ENDS

Notes:

The GP Premises Loan Scheme opened in November 2018 and is backed with £30 million of Scottish Government funding. This announcement takes the total investment to £50 million before April 2021.

Further information on the scheme can be read here:

https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-50m-support-for-gp-practices

Date published: 13th February 2018