NHS admin staff given medical duties to plug GP shortage

PATIENTS could be treated by surgery receptionists in a radical scheme to solve the GP shortage crisis.

Admin staff will assist with basic tasks as family doctors face a mounting workload.

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A trial in NHS Ayrshire and Arran could be rolled out across the country if it works.

The proposals were blasted by politicians who fear patient care will be a casualty.

Tory health spokesman Donald Camerson said: “We need real solutions to the GP recruitment crisis. Frontline services are beginning to suffer.”

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Under the plan, non-medics could be given tasks like weight and blood pressure checks.

Matt McLaughlin, of health workers union Unison, said yesterday: “Managers appear to be ignoring the impact on surgery staff.”

Details of the scheme were revealed in plans for East Ayrshire’s GP workforce.

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Health service boss Eddie Fraser said doctors’ mounting workload could be met with “opportunities” for admin staff.

A government spokesman said: “We’re considering local issues and recruitment needs.”

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