IN MY VIEW ... BLAME RED TAPE FOR GP EXODUS

LAST week it was reported that GPs are retiring earlier — at an average age of 58 — to avoid paying the punitive taxes that apply when pension pots reach £1 million.

A lot of GPs are in that fortunate position as they’ve been the beneficiaries of healthy pension arrangements.

But I don’t think their early retirement is simply down to the lure of gold: I speak as someone who recently retired from the independent sector with no attached pension, and what pushed me finally to give up was over-regulation.

I’d always intended to work past three score years and ten, but at age 65 I abandoned my practice because I just couldn’t face any more ridiculous inspections about the type of soap we use or the rigour of yet another annual appraisal.

This testing process lacks any evidence base to support the hoops through which we’re expected to jump.

I had to prove my probity, that my conscience was clear (i.e. i’d not behaved in an inappropriate manner), as well as producing proof of endless sessions of retraining in political correctness, including child protection, CPR (resuscitation techniques — in classes aimed at the non-medical lay person) and various equally simplistic, but patronising, enforced charades. I am not against regulation per se, but this was not the way to ensure quality medical care.

Most senior experienced GPs, interested in the welfare of their patients and fascinated by the application of scientific progress to medical care, are leaving not to capitalise financially, but because they are exhausted and dispirited by the perfect storm of escalating workloads, an over-regulated environment and no time to care.

The generous pensions and tax penalties have made early departure possible. Who could blame them?