THE DOCTOR WILL LEAVE YOU NOW..
TWO in three NHS doctors are considering quitting the health service, a report warns.
Their biggest fears are the privatisation of the NHS (49%), staff shortages (30%) and Government cuts to health spending (29%).
Two-thirds of doctors said they were either considering leaving or had quit in the past 12 months, said financial services firm Wesleyan.
The departures have forced the NHS to launch a worldwide search for new doctors.
Britain’s most senior medic, Chaand Nagpaul, last night warned patients would suffer unless urgent Government action is taken. Dr Nagpaul, the British Medical Association chair, said: “Doctors are struggling with unsustainable workloads, which has a huge impact on morale, leading to stress and burnout. It is inevitable these doctors may consider looking elsewhere for a job.”
The Government has promised to hire 5,000 more GPs by 2020 but Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is predicted to renege on the vow.
The survey reveals 81% regularly work more than seven days in a row and 84% often work over six hours without a break.
Vicki Wentworth, of Wesleyan, said: “Long hours coupled with an increasing workload and uncertainty about the NHS is taking a personal and professional toll.”