GP crisis ahead with mass exodus of 19,000 doctors predicted over next 5 years

The Royal College of GPs polled 1,300 of its members and weighted the results to reflect all career levels and regions across the country

A nationwide survey of family doctors predicts a mass exodus of 19,000 family doctors over the next five years.

The Royal College of GPs polled 1,300 of its members and weighted the results to reflect all career levels and regions across the country.

About 42% say they are likely to quit in the next five years, 10% in the next year and 19% in two years.

With a staff of more than 45,000 GPs and trainees, that could mean patients will lose nearly 19,000 medical professionals, which is more than 15,000 full-time equivalents.

In the survey, 60% of the graduates cited stress, working hours and a lack of job satisfaction as reasons for their termination.

The NHS is facing an exodus of experienced GPs, many of whom are retiring early due to workload.

This means that the increase in doctors in training is not relieving the pressure and patients are left with records waiting to see a GP.

Prof Martin Marshall, Chair of the RCGPs, said: “What our members are telling us is alarming. General medicine is significantly understaffed, underfunded and overworked and this is affecting the care we can deliver. The intensity of our workload is escalating while the number of fully qualified, full-time GPs is declining.”

About 68% said they don’t have enough time to properly assess patients and 65% said safety is compromised. Four out of five expect working as a family doctor to get worse.

Prof Marshall said: “Being a general practitioner is a fantastic career when it has the right resources and when we have the time to deliver the care our patients need and the kind we want to provide.”

Labor said patients were tired of waiting for doctor appointments.

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Patients are finding it impossible to book doctor appointments, serious conditions are going undiagnosed, patients are waiting longer than safe for treatment, backlogs are building up and millions have been waiting more than a month to be seen become , often in pain and discomfort.”