First Minister unveils walk-in GP clinic to curb ‘8am rush’ for appointments

The First Minister has opened Scotland’s first, GP walk-in service in Edinburgh which he said will tackle the “8am rush” for GP appointments.

John Swinney unveiled the clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, where patients will have access to GP-led care on the same day without an appointment.

The service aims to make it easier for people to get urgent care for medical issues while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals.

The Scottish Government is investing £36 million in a pilot programme of 15 services across Scotland.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Swinney said: “I’m delighted that we’ve opened the first of the GP walk-in clinics that I promised would be delivered to deal with the 8am rush and to improve access to GP services in Scotland.

“This is an important aspect of our services which will complement existing GP services around the country; open up thousands of new appointments to make sure that people can walk in to receive those services between 12 noon and 8pm seven days a week; so that we can improve that access to GP services; and the access to services that people in Scotland require.

“It’s an SNP Government commitment I’m delighted that we are delivering.”

The walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre is open every day from 12-8pm with no appointment needed.

Mr Swinney said details of the 14 other walk-in centres will be confirmed in due course.

Mr Swinney continued: “Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll set out where the next clinics will be established.

“I’m delighted that we’ve made such swift progress to implement the first of the GP walking clinics in Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, covering a very large geography within the city of Edinburgh.

“But what we will set out in the weeks to come is the next stages in that programme to expand the availability of GP walk-in clinics right around the country and it’s a commitment delivered by the SNP Government, which will improve access to GP services and help to tackle the 8am rush for appointments.”

Tracey McKigen, director of primary care for NHS Lothian, said: “We are proud to be launching this pilot service in collaboration with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.

“It will add to the range of health services in Wester Hailes and make it easier for local patients registered with eight, eligible GP practices in south-west Edinburgh to get same day care for new, urgent conditions.”