Scottish GPs Enter Formal Dispute over £290m Funding Gap

General Practitioners (GPs) in Scotland, represented by BMA Scotland, have entered a formal dispute with the Scottish government over a £290 million funding gap that has grown since 2008. The BMA warns that this underfunding has led to a paradox where GPs must cut services and are unable to recruit staff despite rising demand, with nearly half of practices deemed unsustainable and significant challenges in the locum market and job opportunities for newly qualified GPs. The union has launched the 'Stand with your Surgery' campaign demanding full restoration of funding and is preparing for a ballot on disruptive action, although urgent talks continue to avoid escalation. The Scottish government asserts it has increased investment and plans to boost GP numbers, but critics say there has been no concrete action to close the funding gap for 2025-26. BMA Scotland highlights the need to shift resources to community care but states that current government proposals fail to address the true inflationary costs impacting GP practices. Health Secretary Neil Gray has expressed commitment to dialogue and reform, but the dispute underscores ongoing tensions over the sustainability of primary care services in Scotland.