First Minister John Swinney opens Glasgow's first walk-in GP service

John Swinney has said he aims to have 30 walk-in GP services across Scotland by the end of the year, as he opened the first practice in Glasgow.

The Cardonald Centre is Scotland’s ninth opening, following facilities in Dundee, Edinburgh and Shetland.

The service will allow residents and people from the surrounding area to receive treatment without an appointment, Monday to Sunday, from 12pm to 8pm.

During a visit to the centre as it opened to patients on Monday, the First Minister said that he hopes to open a further 14 walk-in GPs by the end of the year.

“I promised that my government would end the frustrating ‘8am rush’ for GP appointments – and we are delivering on that commitment”, Swinney said.

“Patients across the country are already benefitting from this pilot, which enables access to urgent, same-day care at new GP-led walk-in services – with Glasgow the latest service to open its doors.

“Walk-in services will help us bridge between General Practice and Urgent care – offering patients with urgent health concerns another way to be seen and treated, on the day and closer to home. Existing GP services will continue to provide their patients with all general medical services.

“We are on track to open another at least another two additional walk-in centres and set out the next phase of expansion, within the first 100 days of this government.

“This year we will expand access to a further 14 locations, taking the total to 30 walk-in clinics across the country. That is a Scottish Government delivering for the people of Scotland.”

The services aim to make it easier for people to get urgent care for medical issues while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals, and will be made available to those without fixed addresses or who are homeless.

The first GP walk-in clinic, at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, was opened in February as part of a £36m pilot programme.

Jann Gardner, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC) chief executive, said: “The opening of the GP Walk-In Clinic in Cardonald marks an important step in improving access to care for local residents.

“NHSGGC is at the forefront of this new approach and we are committed to learning from the Walk-In Clinic as we continue to modernise healthcare. This forms part of a wider programme of work to improve how patients access services, including initiatives such as FNC+ and e-triage.

“We will continue to develop services that are responsive to the needs of our communities.”