Bytheway... Redtape is forcing me out of my day job

YOU think things are bad now, but it’s going to get even more difficult to see a GP. It’s predicted that increasing demand and an ever-greater administrative burden will increase the time patients have to wait for an appointment.

Last year, the Health Secretary promised the number of GPs would increase, but so far there’s been no significant change. And I wonder how this can possibly be achieved, not least with the news last month that a third of GPs is considering quitting because of the rocketing cost of negligence insurance.

A good start might be to look at how to get the best out of the current workforce. I’d suggest reducing the administrative burden so doctors can engage in useful clinical work.

One of the most time-sapping tasks is the annual appraisal. This was introduced as part of the process of re-licensing doctors every five years, and there is no doubt that it’s vital for ensuring good standards of medical care. The problem is the way it’s conducted: some of the hoops we have to jump through are ludicrous.

An eminent eye surgeon told me he’d wasted half a day at compulsory resuscitation training aimed at non-medical hospital workers. Meanwhile, the British Medical Association has reported on an intensive care doctor with advanced life support qualifications who was compelled to undergo a basic life-support class.

It defies logic. Is this how we wish our precious medical staff to spend their time?

I’m so jaded with the patronising level of training foisted upon us that I no longer plan to be a GP into my mid-70s.

I will find better ways to utilise my skills, such as retraining as a mediator and ethicist. I am not the only one walking away — but is anyone listening?