locum

Dr Joseph explained large bills and financial uncertainty for surgeries mean many practices cannot afford a locum to provide cover.

The practice has been forced to reduce capacity, through steps like cutting back on the use of locums, and cannot afford to take on any additional GPs.

There has not been a full time forensic pathologist based in Aberdeen since 2022 and more than £100,000 was spent on locums last year.

He said that locums – who temporarily fill GP rotas – "are basically refusing to work because they know they are not being paid".

But despite a growing and ageing population, the number of permanent GPs, excluding locums and trainees, is just over 1,000 lower now, at 27,193 full-time equivalents, than in 2015.