The RCGP has published recommendations for general practice, warning that nearly 19,000 GPs and GP registrars will leave the profession without change.
Its new Fit for the Future report (PDF) includes recommendations for the government to:
- ‘Eradicate unnecessary bureaucracy in general practice to enable staff to focus on patient care.’
- ‘Make it easier for international doctors who complete their training as NHS GPs to apply for long-term visas to stay and work in the UK, bringing the situation into line with trainee doctors in other parts of the NHS.’
- ‘Publish a detailed plan to achieve and go beyond the targets of 6000 extra full time equivalent GPs and 26,000 additional staff in non-GP roles.’
Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “We need to make being a GP sustainable again, for the sake of the NHS, and for the sake of patients.”
Dr Kieran Sharrock, BMA England GP committee deputy chair, echoed the warning: “This stark warning from the College is one that the Government can ill afford to ignore.”
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “We welcome this report, particularly in relation to small tangible solutions rather than grand vote-hugging gestures.
“With this report highlighting that so many GPs want to leave their existing roles, it’s hardly a ringing endorsement of the current models that newly-qualified GPs are being encouraged to apply for.
“As an addition to this report, we’d like to also highlight the vital and significant role of our existing GP workforce. Having a simple solution in place to support GPs who are working as locums – many of whom are still uncertain about their career options – can be a great way to retain GPs that might have otherwise left the profession altogether.”