The GP workforce survey showed that there were were 3,591.5 WTE GPs in March 2025.
11:48, 26 Aug 2025Updated 11:50, 26 Aug 2025
GP numbers are less than they were in 2019(Image: SolStock/ Getty)
Scotland has less hours being worked by GPs than it did in 2019, new figures show.
The GP workforce survey showed that there were were 3,591.5 whole time equivalent (WTE) GPs in March 2025.
This was lower than the 3,613 WTE GPs Scotland had in 2019.
But this year’s figure was up from 3,453.1 last year.
One WTE GP is a doctor who works a full working week. A part time GP who only works half the week’s hours counts as 0.5 in the figures.
It is a more accurate way of measuring the hours worked by GPs every week.
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In 2017, then Health Secretary Shona Robison promised to recruit 800 more GPs over ten years.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “The Scottish Government is absolutely miles away from delivering the 800 extra GPs it promised by 2027.
“General practice is overwhelmed. People are ringing their surgeries hundreds of times to try and get an appointment. GPs tell me that they can rack up nearly 100 separate contacts with patients in a single day.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats would draw on the wider skills that exist in mental health, physiotherapy, pharmacy and more. By adding specialists to local teams we can lessen the load on GPs and get you fast access to the best care.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats also secured more money for GPs in this year’s budget. This money can start unpicking years of damage caused by the SNP, but what the NHS really needs is a change of government.”
Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “GPs are the front door to our health services but the SNP has slammed that door shut for too many Scots.
“The SNP’s promise of delivering 800 more GPs is in tatters and the workforce is still smaller than it was in 2013.
“The shortage of GPs in Scotland is causing misery for Scots and piling pressure on the rest of our NHS.
“Only Scottish Labour has a real plan to end the chaotic 8am rush for a GP appointment and restore the family doctor so people can get the care they need when they need it.”
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