Over 40% of GPs in the UK considering leaving the job – finds RCGP survey

RCGP calls for ‘the right investment and realistic initiatives’ to recruit and retain more GPs

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has warned of a potential 'mass exodus' of qualified GPs due to mounting work pressures.

A recent RCGP survey found that over 40 per cent of GPs are unlikely to remain in general practice over the next five years, with a quarter stating it is “very unlikely.”

The situation is particularly concerning in England, with the highest rate of GPs considering leaving the profession reported to be in the East of England and the South East (47 per cent) and the lowest in the North West (36 per cent).

Stress was cited as the main factor for leaving the profession, with more than half of respondents indicating that they find the job too stressful. Additionally, 13 per cent of respondents intend to leave the UK and work overseas.

Almost 4 out of 10 GPs said they regularly worked more than 40 hours a week despite fewer than 1 in 10 being contracted to do so.

The pressures faced by GPs are so severe that 22 per cent report feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope once or twice a week.

The College noted that GPs and their teams have delivered an average of 30 million appointments per month in the past year – over 4 million more each month than in 2019 – despite the number of fully qualified, full-time equivalent GPs decreasing by 601 over the same period.

Commenting on the polling results, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, RCGP Chair said: "We can’t afford this mass exodus of qualified GPs because of the stress of the job leading to them burning out, we can’t afford to have practices closing because the pressures are so intense. This can't continue.”

Professor Hawthorne added that although the current situation is dire, with the right investment and realistic initiatives to recruit and retain more GPs, it can be turned around.

She emphasised: “GPs are highly trained to deliver the safe, timely and appropriate care our patients need. They want to do the best that they possibly can for their patients, now and in the future, and they deserve to be given the support and resources they need to do their jobs, without jeopardising their own health.”

Key highlights of the survey

More than 2,000 GPs from across the UK took part in the RCGP survey, which was conducted between 13 May 2024 and 10 June 2024.

Besides highlighting the number of GPs considering leaving the profession earlier than planned, the survey found that one in ten respondents expect their practice will be forced to close or hand back its contract within the year.

Nearly 8 in 10 GPs (79 per cent) expressed concern about the impact that a declining number of GPs will have on the quality of patient care.

Over three-quarters of GPs (77 per cent) said that patient safety is being compromised by their excessive workloads.

Six in ten (60 per cent) GPs reported not having enough time to adequately assess and treat patients during appointments, while 62 per cent felt they lacked the time to build the relationships with patients that are needed to provide quality care.

Essential steps for retention

When asked what might encourage them to remain in the profession, 66 per cent of respondents considering leaving the profession cited a reduction in administrative workload, while 56 per cent mentioned a decrease in clinical workload.

More than a quarter indicated that access to a formal retention scheme would be beneficial. Among those who had already received support or funding for a retention or returner scheme, 60per cent reported that it made them more likely to continue working as a GP.

However, over the past year, two schemes—the New to Practice Fellowship and the Supporting Mentors schemes—have either been closed to new applicants nationally or placed under review.

Further, the RCGP report noted that while local NHS bodies (ICBs) have been tasked with addressing the challenge of GP retention, there is no ring-fenced funding allocated for this purpose.

Additionally, the College's polling showed that only a small number of GPs have been engaged with existing national and local retention schemes.

Over 70 per cent of GPs believed that their practices could alleviate pressure from hospitals if they had more staff and resourcing.

The College had written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, asking for a review of NHS England's Long Term Workforce Plan (LTWP) to focus on both retention and recruitment.

Lord Darzi's recent review of the NHS in England highlighted that GPs and their teams are increasingly doing more work while receiving a decreasing share of the NHS budget.