The detailed survey reveals a series of dramatic changes to general practice, which could leave the NHS short of doctors – and appear to be disrupting GPs’ traditional role in offering continuity of care.
Among GPs who responded to the survey, 21% said they planned to retire in the next five years. As many as 72% of GPs said unpopular changes to general practice over the last two years made them more likely to consider early retirement.
Some 34% said they planned to reduce their number of GP sessions over the next five years, compared with 28% who had reduced their sessions in the last five years.
The survey also provided evidence that GPs are facing an increasing challenge to offer patients continuity of care.
While 74% of GP partners said they could offer their patients continuity of care, the figure was only 48% for salaried GPs – a rising breed of doctors and the type likely to be employed by polyclinics and private firms.
Salaried GPs – whose numbers have more than doubled since 2004 – knew fewer of their patients on average than partners (26% versus 42%) and were much more likely to work part-time (52% versus 16%).
Pulse’s survey follows other recent indications of high GP retirement rates. BMA Scotland warned last month that one in five GPs planned to retire within 10 years. In January the Health and Safety Executive said six in 10 GPs planned to take early retirement.
Dr Fay Wilson, secretary of five local medical committees in north-west London, said Government propaganda labelling GPs ‘idle and greedy’ was driving some doctors to retire early. ‘The Government needs to stop undermining GPs in financial terms,’ she said.
Richard Hoey, deputy editor of Pulse, said: ‘GPs are feeling harangued and unloved by the Government at the moment, so it’s perhaps not surprising that many are thinking of calling it a day or cutting down their hours.
‘The consequences could be far-reaching, both in terms of a potential shortage of doctors, and in disruption to the vitally important doctor-patient relationship.’
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