Promise of walk-in GP clinic for Angus
Angus is to have a new GP walk-in clinic as part of an expansion of the Scottish Government’s scheme, announced in February – if the SNP is re-elected to Holyrood in May’s election
At the SNP’s Campaign Conference in Edinburgh on Saturday, First Minister John Swinney pledged to double the number of new facilities, from 15 to 30, across Scotland
The Angus facility will be the second to open within NHS Tayside’s area, following the establishment of the first earlier this month in Lochee Health Centre, Dundee.
It was the second such facility in the country to open under the pilot scheme.
Mr Swinney said: “I have heard directly from people who tell me how these clinics fit around their daily routines and bypass the 8am rush.
“I have heard from doctors about how they are freeing up more time for family GPs.
“And I have heard the calls of local campaigners for sites to be located in their communities.
“So I can announce that we will go further.
“If re-elected, the SNP will deliver 30 GP walk-in clinics across the country. We will double our original pledge.
“Reaching more villages, towns and communities the length and breadth of Scotland.”
Walk-in clinics will be open seven days, between 12pm and 8pm.
The SNP hopes that the initiative will help to alleviate the “8am rush” for appointments and, provision of the the clinics has become a flagship policy.
The original 15 clinics were costed at £36 million, with the aim of delivering more than one million additional GP and nurse appointments.
Welcoming the announcement, Angus South SNP candidate Lloyd Melville pointed to his own recent letter to the Scottish Government making the case for a clinic to serve Angus.
He said: “I’m delighted that the First Minister has listened to my representations and committed to delivering a walk-in GP clinic locally.
“People across Angus have told me that improving access to GP services is a priority for them. This new clinic will give patients another way to get the care they need. That's a huge win for local folk. It is a key focus, and if elected I will work tirelessly with colleagues to ensure our NHS continues improving for patients in Angus.”