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Earlier this year, the first minister pledged his government would bring down NHS waiting lists and make it easier to get GP appointments. The latest official Public Health Scotland figures show that, as of 30 September 2025, there were an estimated 628,696 people on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day case waiting list. This is equivalent to about one in nine of Scotland's population Scotland's current health secretary has since announced an extra £531m will be allocated to recruit staff in GP surgeries over the next three years. Neil Gray said the investment would make it easier for people to access GP services and help deliver digital prescriptions. Earlier this year, the British Medical Association (BMA) entered a formal dispute with the Scottish government over the share of the health budget allocated to GP surgeries. The BMA said the share had fallen against inflation every year since 2008 and that £290m was needed to fix the gap. The latest funding for GPs is subject to future budgets being agreed. However, the Scottish government said it would initially provide £98m in the 2026-27 budget, £183m the following year, and £249m in the third year.
