Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has met the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, on Thursday 19th December to raise concerns on behalf of West Lothian GPs in relation to NHS Lothian Facilities Management Cost Increase Service Level Agreement.
Ms Hyslop met the Cabinet Secretary along with other Constituency MSPs in the Lothians, Gordon MacDonald and Christine Grahame.
Commenting following the meeting Ms Hyslop said:
“I have received correspondence from a number of General Practices in my Constituency who are understandably concerned in relation to NHS Lothian’s Facilities Management Cost Increase Service Level Agreement.
“While some level of increase will be required, I have been advised by local Practices of increases of over £40,000 which will place considerable financial pressure on GPs in my Constituency.
“I have raised this matter with NHS Lothian who took the decision and are directly responsible. In a response from NHS Lothian and they said that the cost increases are directly linked to changes in the cost recovery process for Facilities Management services and that these processes are required to ensure equity of funding across all practices and compliance with Scottish Government directives on cost recovery.
“While the decision to raise this fee was made by NHS Lothian, I was pleased that the Cabinet Secretary met with myself and other Lothians MSPs to discuss this matter further.
“At our meeting, the Cabinet Secretary advised that he was in discussions with NHS Lothian on the issue and also nationally with GP representatives to see how the non-staff cost elements of GP services can be best be tackled in a sustainable way for all. He will update us when those discussions and negotiations have successfully concluded. Meanwhile I will continue to pursue the issue to support our vital GP primary care health services.
“The Scottish Government’s Budget for 2025/26 will provide a record £21 billion in funding for our NHS and I would encourage all parties to support this budget to ensure our GP have the support they need.”
ENDS