Scotland’s GPs are now in formal dispute with the Scottish government, in a move that takes them closer to strike action.

Members of BMA Scotland’s GP Committee have voted unanimously for the escalation, which they say comes in response to a ‘generation of neglect of GP services’.

The doctors’ union is calling for full funding to be restored to GP practices, following what it says is an erosion of £290m since 2008.

It says this has led to a ‘paradox’, where GP partners are cutting services and are unable to recruit staff, despite demand for their services increasing.

Recent research by BMA Scotland suggests an additional 160 GPs could be taken on by practices if this funding was available, creating the capacity to provide 695,508 more appointments per year.

A survey of Scotland’s GPs found 90% were willing to ‘make a stand and take disruptive action’.

Now, Chair of the BMA Scotland GP Committee, Dr Iain Morrison, says entering a formal dispute is the legal next step to prepare for a ballot of GPs on taking disruptive action – but that no conclusion is foregone.

He writes:

‘I want to make it clear, no one wants this escalation to take place, and urgent talks with the Cabinet Secretary and Scottish government continue to identify how they can work with us to provide full funding restoration and exit this dispute.’ 

The Scottish government has committed to shift funding from hospital and specialist services to GPs and community health services, as part of NHS reform efforts.

Health Secretary Neil Gray told attendees at the NHS Scotland Event earlier this month that he hoped extra funding for primary care will come in the 2026/27 draft budget.

However, Dr Morrison says there has been ‘no attempt to even begin’ to plug the gap in 2025-26.

Meanwhile, MSPs have been told efforts since 2018 to reduce the workload of Scotland’s GPs by moving some of their core responsibilities to multidisciplinary teams have not lived up to expectations.

On the news of GPs entering formal escalation with the Scottish government, Health Secretary Neil Gray said:

"The Scottish government values greatly the work of general practice and is actively taking forward discussions with the BMA over this summer to avert escalation of this dispute and address the BMA’s concerns.

"The BMA entering into formal dispute with us will not affect the care patients receive".

Read more: Primary care progress falls behind need, say doctors; Change course on GPs, says College; Chief Medical Officer: ‘Critical connections’ priority; NHS waits pushing more patients private; Watchdog criticises homelessness GP cuts; First Minster pledges people will see GP sooner

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