Burnt-out GPs abandon six-figure salaries to join exodus from crisis-hit family practices

TWO in five GPs could quit within five years in some parts of the country, a report shows, amid complaints that sixfigure earnings are not worth the risk of “burnout”.

Polling of family doctors, published in BMJ Open, found the vast majority intend to spend less time on patient care in future, with retirement, career breaks and part-time work being considered by seven in 10. Doctors said findings from 2,000 GPs in the South West reflect a crisis in general practice.

Last week new figures revealed a record number of GP practices are closing, following a rise in the number of doctors retiring early before a tax clampdown on pension pots. The number of practices closing has risen fivefold since 2013, with 92 last year.

Researchers said the study suggested the country was reaching a “perilous situation” in a crisis “deeper and more imminent” than expected. Health officials have embarked on a national recruitment drive, with £20,000 “golden hellos” to train as a GP.

But doctors suggested the incentives, along with average earnings of £100,000 for a GP partner, were not sufficient. Dr Richard Holman, of Queens Medical Centre, Barnstaple, said: “A major problem is GP pay – GP locums can earn the same or more than a partner and don’t have the worry of running a practice, or have to do any of the huge mountain of paperwork.

“No emerging GPs will want to become partners if there is not a clear and significant increase in pay corresponding to the vast extra workload.”

Figures published last month show there has been a drop in the number of GPs working in the NHS despite government aims to recruit 5,000 more by 2020.