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November 2015 workforce survey findings

General practice is responsible for 90% of all NHS activity but receives less than 10% of overall funding. Which makes it all the more concerning that responding to our recently reported Winter workforce survey of all GP practices in London, the picture painted of the pressure under which GPs and practice staff is working is stark:

• Half of London GP practices are short at least one member of staff;
• A third of London GP practices are missing at least one GP;
• 37% of London practices say they are considering employing additional locum staff to help manage current and future vacancies, while 13% are considering reducing services;
• 39 practices either plan to terminate their contract in the next three years or are considering closure to manage current or future vacancies, with some London boroughs, standing to lose up to five practices;
• 128 practices, covering over 900,000 patients, can’t rule out handing back the keys within three years;
• Half of practices say financial uncertainty about the future of the general practice model is preventing staff recruitment.
• On average employed and partner GP posts are said to have been vacant for over eight months after a doctor leaves;
• 44% of GP practices (284) saying their practice currently has GPs planning on retiring in the next three years, and;
• Only 39% of GP practices surveyed say they do not currently have any GPs planning on retiring in the next three years.

Hero GPs are working flat out to cover the gaps, but they’re at breaking point and need real support to keep caring for our growing city, and the growing complexity of health needs. Until financial stability is secured and the low morale of existing staff is improved there is little prospect of the junior doctors currently coming through the ranks being the saviours of general practice (recent Health Education England figures show a dramatic drop in both the numbers of FY2 trainees in total and the numbers selecting general practice as a specialism). Delivering current service with fewer staff is unsustainable and unsafe in the long term, let alone for extended seven day services.

If you are interested in what information went to the media, the press release is here.

Londonwide LMCs is working with Local Medical Committees and general practices across London to help overworked GPs become more resilient. If you would like to discuss our work with GPs and practice staff in the capital, please contact my office comms@lmc.org.uk.

Last updated : 16 Feb 2016

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