Direct recruitment of GPs by practices may have slowed down following the 2025/26 GP contract deal despite substantial new investment, NASGP chair Dr Richard Fieldhouse told GPOnline last week.
Underemployment has been a repeated query for NASGP members and has become the leading campaign for the BMA’s General Practitioners’ Committee this year. On behalf of NASGP, Dr Fieldhouse will also be raising the issue with attendees on 17 September at Pulse Live in Newcastle, an event that’s free for GPs to attend.
Dr Fieldhouse also reported seeing an increase in newly-qualified GPs applying to be part of its membership ahead of the annual wave of Certificate of Completion of Training that takes place during August each year.
Dr Fieldhouse said: “The challenges facing sessional GPs today are significant and multifaceted, ranging from chronic underfunding and pension complexities to the pervasive issues of underemployment and workload pressures. Here at NASGP, we believe it is absolutely crucial to leverage all available platforms, including engagement with both trade and national press, to shine a spotlight on these significant issues.
“Our recent increase in newly-qualified GP memberships highlights the evolving landscape for new GPs, many of whom begin their careers as locums, even as underemployment worsens for experienced GPs.
“Through open dialogue and continued public awareness we can underscore the vital role sessional GPs play in the NHS and advocate for the urgent investment and policy changes needed. We will persist in these efforts until we see tangible action and dedicated funding reach our sector, ensuring that our skilled GP workforce can continue to provide essential patient care without facing untenable personal and professional burdens. Our persistent advocacy is key to retaining talent and safeguarding the future of general practice for all.”