Statistics released by Public Health Scotland show patients in Scotland had 33.98m direct encounters with staff in general practice between October 2024 and September 2025 – an increase of 2.4m on the same 12-month period in 2023-24.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: ‘While GP numbers have risen in Scotland over the last year, we have put a plan in place to go further. We have confirmed that we will invest £531m over the next three years to significantly boost recruitment and help deliver the capacity needed to improve services for patients. This is the largest-ever investment in core GP services in Scotland.

‘This will be supported by our commitment to open 15 new GP walk-in centres providing care from 12pm-8pm seven days per week, making it easier for people to get the care they need in a way that works for them.'