NEARLY a third of GP training places in Scotland remain unfilled after two rounds of recruitment as junior doctors continue to shun a career in general practice. 

The latest figures show that just 275 of 402 GP training places have been filled so far – one of the lowest fill rates for any of the medical specialisms.

It is the second year in a row that GP recruitment has faced a shortfall. 
“The Scottish Government first boosted the number of funded training places in 2016 however it still resulted in 32 per cent of places empty, and it is unlikely that there will be a significant uptake for the remaining posts in the 2017 process. 

It leaves Scotland with the worst vacancy rate for GP training places in Britain, with only 68 per cent currently filled compared to 84 per cent so far in England and 91 per cent in Wales. 

Dr Alan McDevitt, chair of BMA Scotland’s GP Committee, said: “Not enough junior doctors are making the choice to train as GPs in order to meet the needs of Scotland’s patients. 

“The decision to create an additional 100 training places recognised the fact that Scotland needs more GPs, but now the challenge is to ensure that these posts are filled.

“It is essential that we do everything possible to make becoming a GP an attractive career choice for young doctors and the new GP contract that we are currently negotiating with the Scottish Government can play an important part in that.”