For years, the 8am GP appointment rush has been a defining frustration of primary care. Patients queuing outside surgeries, phone lines ringing off the hook and clinicians under pressure to manage unrealistic demand – it’s a scenario that’s all too familiar.
In response, Scotland is introducing 15 new walk-in hubs designed to make access easier and reduce pressure on traditional morning appointments. These hubs will allow patients to drop in without booking ahead, creating a more flexible and responsive model of care.
While this change is positive for patients, it also signals a major shift in how primary-care teams are structured and recruited.
A new workforce model
Walk-in hubs operate differently to standard practices. Rather than fixed patient lists and rigid appointment schedules, they depend on dynamic, multidisciplinary teams.
This model changes the staffing profile completely and highlights the importance of recruiters who understand primary-care service redesign and can source clinicians for hybrid, flexible and part-time roles.
Recruiting for flexibility
Traditional recruitment models often focus on permanent full-time hires, but the rise of walk-in hubs demands something different. Practices and health boards will need access to GPs and clinicians comfortable working in agile environments, often with short-term or sessional contracts.
At Vela Medical Group, we specialise in connecting primary-care providers with clinicians who thrive in adaptive settings. Whether it’s locum GPs supporting service launch or long-term hires for integrated hubs, our approach ensures the right balance of skills, flexibility and patient-centred care.
The wider trend and what it means for 2026
Scotland’s hubs are part of a wider UK movement toward service redesign. As the primary-care workforce shortage continues, similar initiatives are expected across England and Wales by 2026.
Practices should start planning now. Workforce flexibility, digital integration and multidisciplinary collaboration will define the next phase of primary-care recruitment. Vela’s expertise helps organisations anticipate these shifts and build long-term, strategic staffing plans that keep services running smoothly.
The end of the 8am scramble isn’t just a win for patients, it’s a signal of how rapidly the primary-care landscape is changing. For recruiters and practices alike, adaptability will be key.
Looking to strengthen your primary-care workforce?
Contact the Vela team today to discuss tailored recruitment support for your practice or network.
