Primary care is normally a person's first point of contact with the NHS and it is where most patient contacts occur.
Primary care is provided by generalist health professionals including GPs, Nurses, Dentists, Pharmacists, Optometrists and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) such as podiatrists and physiotherapists. The primary care team also includes non -clinical staff such as administration staff, managers and receptionists.
The Scottish Government's vision for the future of primary care services is of "general practice and primary care at the heart of the healthcare system. People who need care will be more informed and empowered, will access the right professional at the right time and will remain at or near home wherever possible. Multidisciplinary teams will deliver care in our communities and be involved in the strategic planning of our services"1.
The Scottish Government hopes that the transformation of primary care will help to put in place long-term, sustainable change that can better meet changing needs and demands2.
The Scottish Government's Scottish Budget: 2019-20 puts the budget for Community Health Services at £1.854 billion. This includes primary care services, community pharmaceutical services, general dental services, general ophthalmic services, mental health services and additional support for social care.
There are 31 Integration Authorities (IAs) in Scotland. These IAs have developed Primary Care Improvement Plans.
Like all areas of health and social care, primary care faces a number of challenges iaround an ageing population and an increase in the number of people with long term conditions.
The Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee is running an inquiry into the future of Primary Care in Scotland, posing the question: What does primary care look like for the next generation?