More than 7,000 consultations have taken place through Scotland’s new GP walk-in services, according to initial pilot data from Public Health Scotland.
A total of 7,082 walk-in consultations were carried out between February and June, with use of the services increasing as new centres opened across the country. June saw the highest monthly figure, with 2,299 consultations recorded.
The services are part of a pilot intended to offer patients a more flexible route to same-day care from GPs or Advanced Nurse Practitioners, without the need to secure an appointment during the traditional early-morning rush.
Six locations opened during the February-to-June period, while the Scottish Government has now opened ten of the 16 services originally planned for the pilot’s first phase.
Health Secretary Angela Constance said the figures showed that more people were benefiting from appointment-free care at times that suited them.
“We have promised to end the frustrating 8 am rush for GP appointments and this new data shows that more people are benefiting from appointment-free care, at a time that works best for them,” she said.
“Some 7,082 walk-in consultations have already been carried out – giving patients access to urgent, same-day care – and we will roll this out to many more communities over the weeks and months ahead.”
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The walk-in centres have been designed to give patients greater choice while helping to reduce pressure on wider NHS services, including general practice and urgent care provision.
Constance added that the pilot was still in its early stages and that further evidence would emerge as services expanded. However, she said each consultation represented an opportunity for timely assessment, treatment, reassurance or advice.
“We have opened ten of the originally planned 16 GP walk-in services in five months and will soon be announcing even more locations as the pilot expands,” she said.
