MORE than half of the Lothians' GP surgeries are staying open beyond normal working hours.
It has been reported 58 per cent of surgeries in the area have extended hours, although that figure falls below other regions in the country. The shift follows controversial Scottish Government policy which was slammed by the British Medical Associat
ion.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon, when unveiling the policy, said she wanted more surgeries to offer "user-friendly" hours rather than the traditional times.
And despite heated opposition, more practices in the NHS Lothian board area have taken up the option than not.
Ms Sturgeon reportedly said: "We are encouraged that just four months into the scheme so many GPs are participating. There is little doubt the public back extended opening hours and I would urge those GP practices still to enter the scheme to get involved. Increased resources have been made available for extended hours and this money remains available."
However, the BMA's chairman of the Scottish GPs committee Dr Dean Marshall, said: "It is not going to improve the health of Scotland because it is the same people who come during the day – they just come more."
The full article contains 200 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
