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