Consultation on GP Phone Numbers is ‘Too Little Too Late’
A Scottish Government consultation into GP telephone numbers has been branded ‘too little, too late’ by Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP.
For over 3 years, Mr Griffin and Mr McClymont have raised concerns about the costs being charged to local residents trying to arrange appointments at Kilsyth Medical Partnership. Calls made to GP practices that have 084 numbers are expensive when called from mobile phones, as these are not often included in call plans. Despite Mr Griffin and Mr McClymont securing an agreement from NHS Lanarkshire to have a cheaper local number established when the new medical centre in Kilsyth opens its doors, problems still exist in the current practice.
Mark said:
“The fact that the Scottish Government finally realises there is a problem in this area is a relief, but frankly it is too little, too late, especially for people in Kilsyth, who have been forced to rake up large bills when trying to secure an appointment at Kilsyth Medical Partnership.
“I have been raising this issue for years with the Health Secretary and the Health Board, and it is unacceptable that it has taken the Government so long to see sense. They must act now to legislate in this area."
Gregg added:
“People should never face the prospect of being unable to get in touch their GP because they cannot afford to make a phone calI. Sadly, this has been the case in our area for several years now.
“The Scottish Government sat on their hands for years on this issue, at a real cost to local people.”
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