Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and convener of the Scottish Parliament cross party group on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis delivered the keynote speech at the Scottish Dermatological Nursing Society (SDNS) Conference in Perth today (8th May). In his speech Dave calls for compulsory dermatological training for GP’s in the proposed extension of GP Specialist Training for doctors entering the General Practice profession.

Dave said “Each year more than 1 million people in Scotland consult their GP about a skin disease - that’s almost one quarter of GP consultations and a startling one in four of the population is affected by a skin disorder that would benefit from medical care. I acknowledge here the great work that the society (SDNS) does for sufferers of skin disease.

He noted that concerns have been widely raised that the level of GP dermatological training is not commensurate with the prevalence and consequences of skin diseases in Scotland.

However, an opportunity to correct this has emerged with the current recommendation from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) that GP specialist training should be increased to 5 years.

Dave said, “I have already been involved in pressing for better dermatological training for GPs. Now, in the form of the RCGP’s recommendations, we have a chance to enhance a GPs training by adding knowledge and practice of dermatology to their skills set and without any disruption to their training.

He went on, “I believe this is the perfect opportunity to make training in dermatology for GPs compulsory and now intend to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well Being, Alex Neil, the RCGP, the Westminster All Party Group on skin and the UK Health Minister to ask that they support my view that training in dermatology for GPs should be compulsory.

The Chair of SDNS, Polly Buchanan, who was also speaking at the SDNS Conference agrees and supports Mr Thompson’s position. She said, “I welcome and support compulsory dermatology training for GPs. I believe the benefits to patients would be profound.  A GPs knowledge and skills will be enhanced which will in turn develop knowledge and services in primary and secondary care.  Ultimately, this will facilitate better education and training in dermatology at undergraduate and postgraduate level”.

Notes:

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has now recommended that GP Specialty Training (GPST) Programmes must be extended from 4 to 5 years - of which, at least two years should be based, in general practice.

The RCGP also suggest there should be a variety of continuing professional development (CPD) to meet the educational requirements of all GPs and that GP training must evolve to reflect and accommodate changes in health care.

Copy of the speech given today by Dave