Finlay Carson MSP has raised serious concerns over John Swinney’s proposal to roll out GP walk-in centres across Scotland, describing it as “completely unworkable” for rural communities like those in Galloway.
The SNP leader announced the policy at his party conference on Monday, but health professionals and opposition politicians have already branded it a “back-of-a-fag-packet” idea.
Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservative Shadow Health Secretary and practising GP, warned the plan will do nothing to address the permanent crisis in Scotland’s NHS or the 8am scramble for appointments.
Finlay Carson MSP said:
“This announcement is yet another headline-chasing stunt from a government that has failed rural Scotland for years.
In areas like Galloway, where we already face a chronic shortage of GPs, the idea of walk-in centres is simply unrealistic.
We don’t have enough doctors to staff existing practices, never mind new centres.
Communities here need practical solutions, not empty promises.
The SNP have been miles off their target of recruiting 800 more GPs by 2027, and this latest policy does nothing to fix that.
Patients in rural areas deserve better than soundbites.
We need investment in recruitment, retention, and infrastructure – not gimmicks that will never materialise.”
Dr Gulhane has written to the First Minister warning that the policy will not deliver and will fail to ease pressure on GP services. The Scottish Conservatives are calling for ring-fenced funding to increase appointment availability and support frontline staff.
Finlay Carson added:
“If John Swinney truly wants to improve access to healthcare, he should back our plans to properly fund GP services and tackle the workforce crisis head-on. Rural communities cannot afford more broken promises.”
