Health inequalities, multimorbidity and primary care in Scotland

Abstract

Scotland has an ageing population and the widest health inequalities in Western Europe. Multiple health conditions develop ∼10-15 years earlier in deprived areas than in affluent areas. General practice is central to the effective and safe management of such complex multiple health conditions, but the inverse care law has permeated deprived communities ('Deep End' general practices) for the past 50 years. A new, radical, Scottish GP contract was introduced in April 2018, which has a vision to improve quality of care through cluster working and expansion of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), enabling GPs to deliver 'expert generalism' to patients with complex needs. It states a specific intention to address health inequalities and also to support the integration of health and social care. Here, we discuss recent evidence for whether the ambition of the new GP contract, to reduce health inequalities, is being achieved.