A SENIOR doctor has called for more out-of-hours GP services in hospitals to help drive down A&E waiting times.
Dr Martin McKechnie, the new chairman of the College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, said being able to redirect patients quickly "through another door" would benefit patients and doctors.
A study at Glasgow's Southern General showed 5-10 per cent of patients who went to A&E did not require emergency treatment.
Dr McKechnie, who works in A&E, said the move would give out-of-hours GPs access to diagnostic facilities, reduce duplication of administration and allow patients to be quickly re-triaged.
A number of hospitals in Glasgow already have co-located services. Dr McKechnie would like to see this extended to every hospital in Scotland.
Dr Alan McDevitt, chairman of the BMA's Scottish GP Committee said: "Strengthening the link between GPs and hospitals could deliver real benefits to patients by ensuring that they get fully joined up care.
"However, general practice is suffering from severe workforce pressures ... if significant numbers of GPs were to work in A&E rather than in GP surgeries, this could lead to patients not receiving the care they need in the community."
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