‘Extra GPs encouraging but core general practice needs more funding’ says RCGP

Responding to reports from the Government that over 2000 extra GPs have been recruited after they took action to slash red tape, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs said:

“We’ve been encouraged by the Government’s recent steps to boost the GP workforce, outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan. Unfortunately, the reality is that general practice remains chronically understaffed, and we have fewer fully qualified full-time GPs than we did eight years ago, despite the fact our patient list has grown by nearly 5 million.

“Today’s figures won’t deliver the lasting change that general practice desperately needs – particularly more funding into core general practice. The number of fully qualified, full time equivalent GPs - which gives the most accurate picture of the GP workforce and the care and services GPs are able to deliver for patients – has only risen by 601 in the past year.

“We continue to hear alarming reports from our members that many GPs are struggling to find suitable employment when they qualify. This makes no sense when existing GPs are working to their limits and patients are crying out for appointments to see us. The reasons for this need to be identified and addressed, including visa issues for qualified GPs from overseas who have completed GP specialty training in the UK, and tackling unemployment and underemployment for GPs at every stage of their careers.

“Any growth in the GP workforce is always good news and the more GPs we recruit, the more patients will benefit. But what we need are permanent measures, including direct ringfenced investment in our core funding.

“The 10 Year Health Plan sets out ambitions to recruit ‘thousands more’ GPs. We now need more detail about where these will come from and how they’ll be funded so that GP practices have the support they need to deliver more care and services to patients in their local communities.”

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.