Out-of-hours GPs

If Scotland's appalling health record is to be tackled effectively, there needs to be a switch of emphasis to individuals taking responsibility for their own health in partnership with their family doctor. At present, many of those who work normal business hours find it difficult to see their GP without taking time off work. This is partly because many doctors stopped offering out-of-hours care when new contracts were introduced in 2005. This new contract was long overdue: the goal of a decent work/life balance for GPs on call at night and over weekends was unobtainable without it. However, it effectively offered doctors more money for less work. This was partly because the new contract tied rewards to results and the government underestimated how much doctors were doing for their patients already.