General practice faces a ‘ridiculous situation’, member GPs told NASGP’s chair and CEO at a workshop event last week.
“We’re now in this really ridiculous situation where there aren’t enough GPs, but at the same time we’re not getting anybody employed because of the contracting mechanisms,” one GP told attendees.
NASGP chair Dr Richard Fieldhouse and CEO Helen Holmes-Fogg hosted a workshop for GPs to give their perspectives on the NHS England 10-year plan as part of the national consultation.
- Participants emphasised the value of sessional/portfolio GPs and their flexibility in the NHS, and that they are a valuable resource, especially during crises or rise in demand.
- They also mentioned that they bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas into practice. (One participant noted that the NHS only seemed to remember them when there was a crisis).
- The importance of valuing those flexible workforce professionals was also discussed, with the need to push for recognition of their value to NHS England. One participant noted that their sessional work provides them with an important work-life balance, which they would not have if they were a GP partner – speaking from an experience of being one.
On the sessional workforce, participants said:
- “GP locums are a valuable resource for the NHS, especially during crises and bring fresh enthusiasm and experience to practices.”
- “The NHS seems to only remember the flexible GP workforce when there is a crisis – we need to value them all the time.”
- “Flexible GPs are essential for workforce stability and need to be valued by the NHS.”
Having hosted and noted participants’ feedback, NASGP will shortly make a submission to Change NHS to share participants’ feedback with the consultation.
Members can read a summary in full here.