More must be done to recruit “fresh blood” into General Practice in the North East, after fresh data has confirmed Aberdeen health chiefs are still “juggling” patient numbers following years of GP recruitment pain.
Freedom of information requests have obtained data from NHS Grampian late this year (2025) showing that four surgeries started “informally managing” their patient lists due to staffing — Calayseat, Elmbank, Kingswells and Links.
NHS Grampian explained this means “they are usually operating on a one patient off, one patient on basis due to being at capacity.”
North East MSP Tess White recently engaged with the Great Western Practice in Seafield Road, over reported difficulties among constituents in getting appointments.
The Scottish Conservative explained there is some good news around closed lists, as there have been none since 2024 following a high point of 15 in 2023.
The health board said it directly employs 42 GPs across the North East, including 15 in Aberdeen, 20 in Aberdeenshire and seven in Moray.
A mixture of full and part-time doctors are employed by the respective health and social care partnerships under so-called “2C” arrangements.
These 2C practices include Torry and Marywell in Aberdeen.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Tess White said: “People in Aberdeen have witnessed this great compression in patient lists after Carden closed and Great Western had to merge with another practice because there frankly weren’t enough staff to cope.
“Before that, there was a noticeable drop in the number of surgeries taking on new patients. That pressure valve has been released, which is good, but we’re still seeing some of this juggling activity.
“GPs are the thread that ties the whole health system together. If you can’t get an appointment then that leads to NHS24, A&E, or waiting outside a hospital in an ambulance.
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“This is not the fault of anyone toiling in these surgeries. There is a serious doctor shortage across the North East and that is having a knock-on effect on every service they provide.
“John Swinney’s SNP government is not recruiting enough fresh blood into local GPs.
“This would help people across the North East get access to local care and cut down on waiting times in the emergency room.”
