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Fall in Forth Valley GP practices

There has been a drop in the number of GP practices across the Forth Valley.

Data from the British Medical Association shows there were 50 last year - compared to 58 a decade ago.

The number of patients per GP has also risen by 14%.

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“The Scottish Government is driving local health services into the ground.

“Hundreds of thousands of Scots are finding it near-impossible to see their GP and waiting months for hospital treatment.

“Increasing numbers of GP practices are being forced to close their patient lists because they do not have sufficient resources to meet their patient needs.

“This is one of the biggest issues that comes up on doorsteps across the country and Scottish Liberal Democrats have a plan. We want to see more specialists in areas such as mental health and physiotherapy and swift access to care close to home.”

NHS Forth Valley say the figures don't give an "accurate" reflection of the number of practices:

"Since 2013 3 GP Practices in the Forth Valley area have closed - a number of other GP Practices have merged but continue to operate out of their existing premises to provide primary care services to their local communities."

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