Leading BMA, GPC and RCGP GPs will lead a virtual rally on the problem of sessional GP unemployment for both salaried GPs and GP locums.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, UK and England GPs committee chair, will speak on collective action in England and Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, Royal College of GPs’ vice chair for external affairs, will discuss the College’s perspective.
Dr Amy Small, sessional GPs committee executive team member and NASGP member, will chair a brief session with co-executive team member Dr Veno Suri, on what the BMA has been doing.
Dr Mark Steggles, sessional GPs committee chair, will chair a discussion amongst participants.
The session will take place on Wednesday 12 February 7.30-9pm.
GPs can register online.
Seven in 10 GP locums have difficulty finding work, the NASGP found in a survey of 338 GPs last year. Of the four in five GP locums who face challenges at work, 69% said ‘difficulty finding work’ was their main challenge. A further 18% said their main challenge was financial insecurity.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “This is a subject so close to every GP’s heart who’s not currently in a substantive post, and affects both salaried employment and GP locum work.
“Although combined NHS and GMC data shows a recent increase in the number of salaried GPs, and a small drop in GP locum numbers, it’s not been enough to offset the lack of work and employment opportunities, and the overall growth of the GP locum workforce.
“Ultimately, there is no question that patients need more GP appointments, and no question that there are many GPs out of work. What it now needs is the political will to bridge that gap.”