More GP appointments needed

Readers will be well aware how hard it is to get a GP appointment in Renfrewshire at the moment.

- BY WEST SCOTLAND MSP NEIL BIBBY

Countless Paisley residents have told that they have been unable to get appointments phoning their local surgeries as early as 7.30am.

I want to make it clear that this is not at all due to the performance of doctors and their staff, who do a fantastic job in caring for patients.

But skill and effort can only go so far when Scottish Government support is lacking and the numbers speak for themselves.

Recent figures from Public Health Scotland show that, in 2015, there were 29 GP practices in Renfrewshire with an average of 6,142 patients per practice.

But in 2025, the number of practices has reduced to 27 while the number of average patients per practice has risen to 7,195.

This increase of over 1,000 average patients while GP practices close is putting massive pressure on our healthcare staff.

And our GP surgeries are not the only local health services struggling.