Retaining GPs
GPs are working hard to meet growing patient demand, but this is not sustainable. Our 2024 survey of RCGP members found that over 40% of the GP workforce across the UK said it was unlikely that they would be working in practice in five years’ time. This figure has grown from 31% in 2019.
Whilst some progress has been made in increasing the number of GPs joining the workforce in recent years, this is not enough. GPs are leaving the workforce early at ever-increasing rates, so we need to plug this gap to ensure that GPs are able to work sustainably and patients receive high-quality care.
Looking after the GPs of today to safeguard the workforce of tomorrow report - October 2024
This report explores the workforce challenges facing general practice in England and highlights the pressing need to address the reasons GPs are leaving the profession or reducing their contracted hours. This accompanies our ongoing efforts to raise concerns around GP employment with calls for clarity and funding for newly qualified GP ARRS roles.
In September 2024, the NHS in England had the equivalent of 1,557 fewer full-time fully qualified GPs than in September 2015. At a time when demand is only increasing, it's critical we work together to reverse this trend and grow the GP workforce in order to safeguard patient care.
Looking after the GPs of today to safeguard the workforce of tomorrow (PDF file, 1.9 MB)
The report outlines four key recommendations to the Government and NHS England
- Review the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan: NHS England should undertake a comprehensive review of the Long Term Workforce Plan with a focus on GP retention, and the Government should establish an independent workforce projection statutory body.
- Develop a National GP Retention Strategy: NHS England should develop a National Retention Strategy for general practice that ensures national consistency via ring-fenced national funding, oversight, and guidance.
- Prioritise Support & Wellbeing: Protected Learning Time should be written into a future GP Contract, and NHS England should guarantee ongoing funding for Practitioner Health services for all health and care professionals employed in the NHS.
- Tackle Visa Issues: The Home Office should grant IMGs across the UK the right to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain upon Completion of Training in General Practice (CCT), and NHS England should reinstate the IMG practice matching service.
Parliamentary Briefing
To engage with MPs and stakeholders on this topic, we produced and circulated a dedicated briefing centred around actionable solutions to shape thinking and improve GP retention in England to tackle the GP workforce crisis.
Joint Letter to Public Accounts Committee
In addition to this publication, we have delivered a public letter to the new Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, calling upon the Committee to re-open its inquiry into the NHS England Long Term Workforce Plan - opened earlier this year but abandoned before it could conclude, due to the General Election. The joint letter, supported by leading health organisations across the sector, including the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Nursing, pushes for the inquiry to be re-started and its findings published ahead of the Government’s forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS.
Retaining the GP workforce report - September 2022
As part of our work to understand the retention crisis that general practice is facing, and what we can do to support our GPs, we have produced the following report.
Fit for the Future: Retaining the GP workforce, September 2022 (PDF file, 790 KB)
In this report, we explore the extent of the current retention crisis by drawing on available data to identify why GP workforce numbers are decreasing month on month and the factors that drive poor retention. However, there is a lot that can be done to contribute towards improving GP retention and make the GP a more enjoyable and sustainable career choice for current and future GPs.
Our key recommendations to UK governments and health systems
- A comprehensive review of existing retention initiativesbacked by an investment of £150 million per year in England and commensurate amounts in the devolved nations.
- Develop local retention initiatives so that every GP can access tailored support to stay in the profession for longer.
- Ensure funding is available in every locality for GPs to access a national retention scheme for those at highest risk of leaving the profession.
- Evaluate and improve induction and career support programmes for early career GPs.
- Build capacity at network or system level to introduce increased flexibility and new opportunities across local areas.
- Take action to improve GP workload, in particular to support the delivery of relationship-based care.
- Expand multidisciplinary teams in general practice and invest in support for integration and supervision of new roles.
- Publish improved workforce data across the UK, in order to inform better workforce planning.
- Develop impactful communications for patients which demonstrate the role of the GP and help to explain what a patient can expect from their practice, including seeing different members of the team.
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