Improve ‘poor and unreliable’ GP IT systems, RCGP urges political leaders

The RCGP has urged the next Scottish Government to improve ‘poor and unreliable’ GP IT systems, which it says risk patient safety. 

It comes as the college shared results of a survey of its members that found outdated IT systems were impacting GP workload and worsening communication between primary and secondary care.

The survey of GPs in Scotland found: 

• 45% of GPs disagreed that their PC or laptop hardware was ‘fit for purpose’ while only 13% ‘strongly agreed’; 

• More than half (53%) felt the same about their software, while 11% ‘strongly agreed’; 

• 55% of respondents disagreed that their IT systems were capable of exchanging information effectively with secondary care, while just 3% ‘strongly agreed’; 

• 55% of respondents did not believe their IT systems were capable of exchanging information effectively with community pharmacists, while 4% ‘strongly agreed’. 

Commenting, RCGP Scotland vice chair Dr Chris Williams said the survey suggested ‘even the most basic’ IT tools were not consistently available for Scottish GPs, forcing them to work under ‘entirely avoidable pressures’. 

Dr Williams said: ‘GPs across Scotland are working tirelessly to meet rising patient need, but too often they are doing so with one hand tied behind their backs due to poor and unreliable IT systems.  

‘When more than half of GPs tell us their IT systems are not fit for purpose, and when safe, seamless communication between primary and secondary care cannot be relied upon, patient care is put at risk and clinicians are forced to work under entirely avoidable pressures. 

‘No GP should be waiting twenty minutes every morning for slow computers or outdated systems to start up. That is valuable time that should be spent on essential clinical work.  

‘Investing in proper digital tools will reduce inefficiencies, ease frustration for GPs, and crucially, ensure patients receive faster, safer and more joined-up care.’ 

The survey of 285 respondents was conducted from July to August last year, but the college published the results earlier this week. 

In its manifesto for the May 2026 Scottish Parliament election, the college called for a new ‘general practice premises and infrastructure strategy’ to distribute capital investment required for IT upgrades. 

It advocated for all GP practices that want to reassign the lease of their practice building to the Health Board should be enabled to do so as a priority. 

The college’s manifesto has also argued that general practice’s share of NHS funding should be restored to 11%. It urged the next Scottish Government to commit to a substantial increase in the amount of general practice expenditure in each year of the next parliamentary term. 

Following the publication of the draft 2026/27 Scottish budget, which would see general practice’s NHS budget share rise from 6% to 7%, the college welcomed the increase but said it fell short of the required 11%.