New GP walk-in clinic treats 183 patients in five weeks
GoogleOne of the new flagship GP walk-in clinics has seen just 183 patients in its first five weeks, latest figures shows.
The facility at Lochee Medical Centre in Dundee is part of a network of clinics planned by the Scottish government where patients have access to GP-led care without an appointment.
Data released to the BBC under freedom of information laws shows that in the five weeks to 30 April, the Dundee clinic - which is open every day between 12:00 and 20:00 - had 183 people attend.
Separate figures published by the Scottish Conservatives for the first GP walk-in centre, which is in Edinburgh, show it saw 987 people in its first month of operation.
First Minister John Swinney has previously said the walk-in clinics will deliver more than one million additional GP and nurse appointments.
The plan, which is designed to tackle the so-called "8am rush" for doctors' appointments, was launched with 16 proposed locations across the country.
In its election manifesto, the SNP has pledged to increase this tally to 30 sites if re-elected, arguing that they will give timely access to quality care close to people's homes.
But the walk-in clinics have been criticised by both the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland and BMA Scotland who say the money would be better spent on core general practice
The other parties contesting the Holyrood election have also made promises on GP services.
Scottish Labour has said it will "bring back the family doctor" and offer the guarantee of a GP appointment within 48 hours if elected.
The Scottish Conservatives, who have been critical of walk-in clinics, have also pledged that everyone will be able to see a GP within 48 hours.
The Scottish Lib Dems have said they will allow patients to use the NHS App to book, move and cancel appointments, while a new pay deal for GPs and expansion of frontline services at GP surgeries is being promised by Reform UK Scotland.
Elsewhere, the Scottish Greens have pledged that there will be one GP for every 1,000 patients.
