Lanarkshire residents will start to see changes across primary care services as the local Primary Care Improvement Plan (PCIP) starts to gain momentum.

The PCIP supports the delivery of the new national GP contract which aims to refocus the role of GPs as expert medical generalists, working with a wider team to provide more healthcare in the community.

More than 90 per cent of healthcare is provided in primary care – this includes GPs and practice staff, pharmacists, dentists and opticians among many others. However, the number of GPs in Lanarkshire is reducing, and people are living longer with more health issues.

Dr Linda Findlay, Medical Director, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, commented: “There is a need to provide primary care differently, to support people to stay as healthy as they can for as long as they can, and make sure they get a quick response from the right service, when they need it.”

The PCIP will ensure that people are seen by the right person, in the right place, at the right time. This may not always be a GP – it could be an advanced nurse practitioner, pharmacist or another member of the wider primary care team. This means that GPs have more time to spend with the patients who need them most.

Dr Findlay added: “These changes to primary care services won’t happen overnight, they will be implemented in stages over the next two years. People will start to see small changes when they contact their GP practice, this will include the option to see a wider range of staff who can help with different issues.”

Further information will be issued as services develop. In the meantime, visit www.thisislanarkshire.org or follow @LanPCIP on Twitter to find out more about Lanarkshire’s Primary Care Improvement Plan.