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MSPs consider more GP protection MSPs consider more GP protection
(about 1 hour later)
Plans to improve protection for GPs and community midwives are to be considered by MSPs.Plans to improve protection for GPs and community midwives are to be considered by MSPs.
The measures were prompted by an attack on Dr Helen Jackson, 56, who was stabbed at her surgery in Hyndland Road, Glasgow, in August.The measures were prompted by an attack on Dr Helen Jackson, 56, who was stabbed at her surgery in Hyndland Road, Glasgow, in August.
Ambulance workers, doctors, nurses and midwives working in a hospital or responding to an emergency are currently protected by the law.Ambulance workers, doctors, nurses and midwives working in a hospital or responding to an emergency are currently protected by the law.
GPs, nurses and midwives on non-urgent calls in the community are not covered.GPs, nurses and midwives on non-urgent calls in the community are not covered.
An extension to the Scottish Government's Emergency Workers Act has been laid before the Scottish Parliament.An extension to the Scottish Government's Emergency Workers Act has been laid before the Scottish Parliament.
Vital service It was a bigger problem in the days before GP co-operatives when you had doctors visiting on their own in the middle of the night without back-up or support BMA spokesman Dr Stuart Scott
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "We owe our NHS staff a huge debt of gratitude for the work they do on a daily basis sometimes in challenging circumstances.Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "We owe our NHS staff a huge debt of gratitude for the work they do on a daily basis sometimes in challenging circumstances.
"Sadly there are a mindless minority who think it is acceptable to abuse and attack health workers ignoring the vital service they provide and the terrible impact this kind of behaviour can have on staff morale."Sadly there are a mindless minority who think it is acceptable to abuse and attack health workers ignoring the vital service they provide and the terrible impact this kind of behaviour can have on staff morale.
"The brutal knife attack on a GP in her surgery in Glasgow back in August was a shocking incident and highlighted that health workers working in the community are vulnerable.""The brutal knife attack on a GP in her surgery in Glasgow back in August was a shocking incident and highlighted that health workers working in the community are vulnerable."
She added that the Emergency Workers Act, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2005, did not go far enough.She added that the Emergency Workers Act, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2005, did not go far enough.
'Bigger problem'
The draft order will be debated by Holyrood's subordinate legislation committee.The draft order will be debated by Holyrood's subordinate legislation committee.
BMA spokesman Dr Stuart Scott, told BBC Radio Scotland that the wider coverage should have been put in place initially.
He said: "It was a bigger problem in the days before GP co-operatives when you had doctors visiting on their own in the middle of the night without back-up or support.
"That was a big risk and that caused a lot of anxiety for a lot of doctors and nurses visiting in the middle of the night because that was when you were most vulnerable.
"Thankfully, these days all out-of-hours visits are usually with a driver and fully supported. In working hours, it's a growing problem as well."
A man has appeared in court in connection with the incident at the GP's surgery.A man has appeared in court in connection with the incident at the GP's surgery.