Survey reveals nearly 60 per cent of GPs work three day weeks and 30 per cent want to retire within five years

According to Government-backed research, nearly six in ten GPs now work three-day weeks and a third are planning to retire within five years.

GPs who took part in the survey highlighted difficulties with increasing workloads, having ‘insufficient time to do the job justice’ and rising demands from patients.

The findings from the latest annual GP Worklife Survey, found ‘problem patients’ and paperwork were also adding to their stress.

Professor Katherine Checkland, a health policy and primary care expert, who led the study, said “It is not really surprising that job satisfaction has dropped amongst GPs during the pandemic.  But the survey provides some evidence about the areas of work they are finding more stressful, which may help in designing ways to support them.

Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said “General practice was under considerable strain before the pandemic, but the crisis has exacerbated this.

“These findings show a profession working under intense workload and workforce pressures, doing their best for patients in the most difficult of circumstances.”

He added that it was concerning to see any GPs leave the workforce, but it is “especially worrying to see so many family doctors planning to leave relatively early in their careers.

“This should be a wake-up call that we need to see robust plans implemented to retain highly-trained, experienced GPs in the workforce – and key to this will be tackling workload.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 7382