GP, dentist, pharmacy and optometry leaders have warned the Scottish Government that failure to protect their members from significant increases in costs in the UK Government’s recent Budget will have ‘real consequences for the communities we serve’.
In an open letter to Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, the British Dental Association Scotland, the British Medical Association Scotland, Community Pharmacy Scotland, and Optometry Scotland, stress the increase in National Insurance Contributions will have a major impact on all NHS primary care providers, that largely operate as small businesses. They are seeking extension of the exemptions from the hike that have been offered to secondary care, stating that inaction “could mean independent contractors closing services, returning contracts, and patients struggling to access needed care.”
MSPs will debate the impact of the National Insurance increase on public services on Wednesday afternoon.
In a message shared with MSPs ahead of the debate, a practice in the Scottish Highlands said they are the only one in their area taking on new NHS adult patients and people are queuing around the block: “We will not be able to continue as NHS practices if we do not receive support. Dental nurses are being offered more money from private dental practices and even NHS "salaried" hospital dental nursing posts. We won't be able to continue to work our socks off to match these wages.”
David McColl, Chair, of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “Our dentists, GPs, pharmacists and optometrists provide services millions depends on.
“The Scottish Government has a duty to protect primary care from a huge hit that could see high street health providers shutting up shop.”