GPs oppose plans to expand the number of walk-in centres in Scotland

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By Daniel Pye

GP walk-in centres are “not the solution,” doctors have told the Scottish government as it announces an expansion of the current pilot.

First minister John Swinney has announced 24 more areas will receive walk-in services, bringing the number of centres planned or operational to 40.

As he opened the 11th GP walk-in service in at Buckhaven, Fife, he also announced an extension of the pilot programme until April 2029.

But the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said walk-in centres had been trialled extensively in England and “ultimately failed to deliver the intended benefits”.

Dr Chris Williams, RCGP Scotland vice chair, called for a long-term GP workforce plan to increase the number of whole-time equivalent doctors instead.

Work is underway with health boards to establish new walk-in services for communities including Angus, Dumbarton, East Kilbride, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Inverness, North Ayrshire, Paisley, Shotts, Tweeddale and West Lothian, the Scottish government said.