More than third of GPS looking to quit

♦ More than a third of GPS plan to quit in the next five years, a survey has shown, prompting warnings of a retention crisis among doctors.

A national survey of GPS, which has been polling family doctors since 1999, found that almost two in five (39 per cent) said they were likely to quit direct patient care within five years.

This was the highest figure since the National GP Worklife Survey began, researchers said.

They said the finding was “particularly worrying” due to the possible implications it might have on recruitment, retention and patient care.

The new survey, published by experts at the University of Manchester, found that a large proportion of younger GPS expected to quit or change roles in the next five years.

Among GPS under 50, 13.5 per cent said there was a considerable or high likelihood of leaving direct patient care within five years. This rose to 39 per cent for GPS of all ages – up from 35 per cent in 2015.