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 2016Places going fast at Londonwide LMCs’ annual conference on 20 April 2016 - don't miss out, book your place today (04 Feb 2016)
Mword - Issue 27 - February 2016 now available (04 Feb 2016)
4 February 2016 Dear Colleague, If not now, when? Saturday’s Special Conference of LMCs effectively declared...Junior doctors industrial action (20 Jan 2016)
The junior doctors’ strike on Tuesday 12 January drew widespread support from the public and across the medical profession. At the time of writing the 26 January strike has...Special LMC Conference motions (20 Jan 2016)
The motions for the Special LMC Conference 2016 are now public and can be found in the agenda for the day. The conference is on Saturday 30 January at...Queen’s Nursing Institute survey of GP nurses (20 Jan 2016)
The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) launched a major new report on general practice nursing on Monday 18 January. The report is based on an online survey completed by over 3,400...Londonwide LMCs' January 2016 Newsletter now available (20 Jan 2016)
Londonwide LMCs NewsletterNational record movement trial by Primary Care Support England (19 Jan 2016)
Primary Care Support England (PCSE) is conducting a national record movement trial using a blank document in place of a medical record. This is in preparation for a new system...RCGP North and West London events coming up (19 Jan 2016)
Minor surgery including DOPS refresher course – one day course: 10 February at the Medical Society of London This one day course designed by GPs, plastic surgeons, dermatologists and GPwSIs...Health Select Committee highlights confusion among Ministers regarding primary care (19 Jan 2016)
On Tuesday 13 January Alistair Burt MP, primary care Minister at the Department of Health, appeared before the Health Select Committee to give evidence as part of their Inquiry into...Practice Manager Leads Forum (PMLF) – 28 January 2016 (19 Jan 2016)
The next forum will take place on Thursday 28 January 2016 at 9.30am. If you are a lead practice manager and currently represent practice managers at a LMC, Federation or...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.