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GP Partnerships snubbed by sessional GPs

17th April 2015 by NASGP

GP Partnerships snubbed by sessional GPs

The BMA’s recent survey of the profession included just over 3,000 sessional GP respondents.

Work-life balance

Just over 70% of locum GP respondent’s gave flexibility and the desire for a good work-life balance as the reasons for opting for their role, whereas the figure was just under 60% for salaried GPs.

BMA GPC sessional GPs subcommittee chair Vicky Weeks said: ‘These figures show that working as a sessional GP is a positive career choice…the majority of sessional GPs do not want a partnership and are attracted to the role because of specific positive features of working as a sessional GP.’

Partnerships snubbed

Perhaps the most striking finding of the survey was that only 7 per cent of salaried GPs, and 3 per cent of locum GPs, are working as sessional GPs because there are no partnerships available in their area.

And compounding this, the BMA survey found only 44% of practice-employed salaried GPs want a partnership in the future, while only 23% cent of locum GPs would want to become a partner.

Model contract

Other findings relate to the model contract available from the the BMA. All salaried GPs are recommended to use this contract, or one offering similar terms and conditions.

57% of salaried GPs have been on the BMA model contract in every practice they have worked in, whereas over a quarter of salaried GPs are not, leaving them vulnerable to suboptimal working terms and exploitation.

"I started my career as a GP locum last year a week after CCT. I strongly agree with the doctors who praise the NASGP team. If there is no NASGP, there would be no GP locum called Dr Darshanie Seneviratne.

The team is absolutely amazing especially Dr Richard Fieldhouse, Ali Lewis and Jacqui Gumbrell – all providing unbelievable support to us. I've never seen such urgent assistance from any other team at any point in my career. For example when one of my invoices was delayed by a month and a half, Ali was incredibly supportive. It is a very good strength for us as we have support with any issues. I would like to stay with this amazing team forever. "

Dr Darshanie Seneviratne, GP, Essex

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