- Critics: GPs (general practitioners).
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Proposals: Expand walk-in healthcare network.
- Government: Scottish Government initiative.
- Status: Under criticism; no approval details.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 15, 2026 – GPs have criticised Scottish Government proposals to expand a walk-in healthcare network in Edinburgh.
The Royal College of General interpreters( RCGP) Scotland stated that the finances would be better used away in response to the advertisement that an Edinburgh clinic would serve as the £36 million scheme’s airman position.
Chris Williams, vice president of RCGP Scotland, advised that funding the network of walk- in centers wasn’t a” sound use of coffers” and that the country’s health budget” is under significant pressure.”
Williams said:
“It is vital that every pound is spent as effectively as possible. In our view, walk-in centres do not represent a sound use of resources, nor are they likely to have any meaningful impact on the 8am rush for GP appointments.
Evidence from England shows that walk-in centres are more expensive to run than standard in‑hours general practice, can fragment care across multiple providers, and are predominantly used by younger, healthier patients with minor, self‑limiting conditions.”
At the SNP convention in October of last year, First Minister John Swinney launched the walk-in network, which is expected to generate an additional one million appointments annually.
In an effort to reduce “the 08:00 rush for appointments” that puts pressure on surgeries, Swinney informed party members that the centers would be open seven days a week from 12.00 to 8.00 pm.
Gray said:
“This £36 million investment will help more people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Walk-in services will make it easier to access urgent care on the day it’s needed, while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals.
I am determined to keep driving forward improvements so everyone can get the care they need, when they need it.”
The RCGP has disputed this viewpoint, nevertheless.
Williams said:
“Our firm view is that the Scottish Government must rigorously evaluate the pilot and establish a clear exit strategy should walk‑in centres fail to reduce pressure on core services as we expect.
The £36 million allocated to this pilot would be better spent supporting patients to access their trusted GP in a timely manner.”
How much additional staff will the walk-in centres need?
Scotland’s planned network of 15 walk- in GP conventions lacks published specifics on fresh staffing conditions, with no sanctioned numbers released in budget documents or Health Secretary adverts.
Each clinic, operating noon- 8 pm for critical minor affections, would probably bear 2- 4 GPs or advanced nanny interpreters, 4- 6 support staff (event, nursing sidekicks), and clinical directors per shift grounded on English UTC models handling 50- 100 cases diurnal equating to 300- 600 redundant clinical places nationwide.
Government pledges £36 million over three times but omits pool plans amid 363 GP vacancies (11 rate); aviators may repurpose being NHS24 or community nursers, though critics doubt scalability without 500 new hires.
