Tories: walk-in GP clinics just a ‘stunt’

JOHN Swinney’s plans to set up a network of walk-in GP clinics across Scotland have been dismissed as “back-of-a-fag-packet stuff” and a “pre-election stunt”.

- By Ben Borland

The Scottish Conservatives hit out at the proposals the day after the First Minister announced details of the £30million plan.

Doctors’ leaders also raised concerns about the proposal and asked how the 15 new drop-in services would be staffed.

Mr Swinney insisted the clinics, to be open seven days a week from noon to 8pm, will help tackle the “8am rush” for a GP appointment, which leaves some patients struggling to be seen by a doctor.

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But shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane, who is also a GP in Glasgow, said he has written to the SNP leader “telling him that this typical SNP headline-chasing announcement will not be delivered and will do nothing to stop the rush for an 8am appointment”.