ANGUS
SIZE: 2,181 km²
POPULATION: 114,820
POP. DENSITY: 52.6 people/km²
URBAN CLASSIFICATION (people/km²)
HYPER URBAN AREA (≥15,000)
DENSE URBAN AREA (1,500-14,999)
URBAN CLUSTER (300-1,499)
RURAL SETTLEMENT (50-299)
SPARSE RURAL (10-49)
REMOTE (1-9)
WILDERNESS (<1)
*BASED ON DEGURBA (EU Degree of Urbanisation) DATA
KEY ISSUES
Poor health for deprived areas compared to average.
General shift to a more holistic delivery of healthcare in Angus.
Lack of healthcare staff & accomodation.
Demographic trends point towards further stress on healthcare.
Angus is part of NHS Tayside, alongside Dundee and Perth & Kinross. The region’s main acute hospital is Ninewells in Dundee, which serves as the health board’s main general hospital; Perth Royal Infirmary also provides similar services. Over the past 25 years, healthcare delivery has become increasingly centralised. Six hospitals have closed during this period, and services at the remaining hospitals have been significantly reduced as more resources have been concentrated at Ninewells. Whilst this centralisation can improve efficiency, it has left many communities in Angus with reduced and inequitable access to care. (Dundee Courier, 2003-2025)
A similar trend is evident in primary care. Angus has 15 GP practices spread across four clusters, all of which have seen rising list sizes. This reflects a national pattern of decreasing practice numbers and a growing population. As a result, many practices report that their current facilities are no longer adequate to meet patient needs. (Scotland’s Population Health Framework, Scottish NHS, 2025)(Angus HSCP GP Practice Premises Strategy, Angus HSCP, 2025)
Demographic changes are likely to intensify these pressures. Angus HSCP reported that “the number of individuals aged 75 years and above is expected to rise by 30%”, increasing demand on services, as this age typically requires the most healthcare support. In addition, the prevalence of long-term conditions already above the Scottish average, and continue to rise. (Angus HSCP GP Practice Premises Strategy, Angus HSCP, 2025)
Angus HSCP have proposed a GP premises strategy aligned with the Scottish NHS’s shift toward a more preventative model of care. The strategy aims to “ensure that primary care services operate from a planned network of accessible buildings, strategically placed to ensure maximum utility for the communities they serve by configuration of premises to reflect the changing needs of the population” (Angus HSCP GP Practice Premises Strategy, 2025). To achieve this, Angus HSCP intend to centralise healthcare within the regions seven main towns, collocating GP practices with other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists and district nurses, to establish a more resilient and collaborative public service. (Angus HSCP GP Practice Premises Strategy, 2025)
In an interview, Dr Alison Clement, Clinical Director of Angus HSCP, expressed the organisations focus on a more ‘holistic’ approach to healthcare, recognising the significant impact social and physical activities can play in improving wellbeing beyond traditional medical interventions. She also described the teams commitment to provide ‘Trauma Informed Care’, which aims to make services more sensitive and accessible for people with past trauma. (Dr Alison Clement, Interview hosted by Ryan Smith, Angus HSCP Clinical Director, 2025)
Dr Clement identified Arbroath as a particular area of concern due to its high levels of deprivation. In the most deprived areas of Angus, Males life expectancy is nine years below the Angus average, and female expectancy is three years lower. Demand on Arbroath’s GP services has also risen sharply as the population has grown. However, all four local practices report that they are unable to expand due to limited space, indicating the need for new premises. (Dr Alison Clement, 2025) (Angus HSCP GP Practice Premises Strategy, 2025)
