General practice lost 2,900 partners as GP workforce shrank during five-year contract, GP Online has revealed.
The equivalent of over 900 GPs left the profession, equivalent to a 3% decrease in total FTE (full-time equivalent) GPs in the UK.
In particular, partners fell 15% in the same period.
GP Online journalists have dedicated this week’s episode of its podcast, Talking General Practice, to the issue.
The news comes at a time when LMCs plan to debate the GP workforce crisis at the annual conference of representatives. This year’s conference also opens with motions on the state of the NHS and safe GP workload.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair and GP, said: “It’s no news to anyone that it’s extremely tough being a GP partner, and with all the news we’ve been reporting over the last five years about GP workforce, I’m surprised the numbers aren’t higher.
“Let’s not forget though that when a GP leaves their partnership, this doesn’t necessarily equate to leaving the profession, with plenty turning the skills and dedication to supporting practices as GP locums.
“As new GP locums, though, many of our ex-partner colleagues struggle to adjust to the myriad of ways of working in lots of different practices, and all the nuances of becoming a self-employed provider of GP services. If any new locums find themselves in this position, they’ll soon find a home in NASGP’s growing network of GP locum chambers.”