GPS’ hours

SIR – Dr Laurence Buckman is an experienced GP and entitled to his own opinion (report, “Younger GPS ‘really don’t like’ working long hours, says senior medic as pressure piles on surgeries,” May 9).

But the Royal College of GPS takes issue with his comments about younger GPS “not liking” to work long hours – as will every “young” GP who is dedicated to our profession and working flat-out seeing patients.

In the wider context, his comments were highlighting unmanageable workloads in general practice – something that is also of huge concern to the Royal College of GPS.

Today, in general practice, we will see more than a million patients, dealing with complex illnesses that even a decade ago would have been automatically referred to hospital consultants. Colleagues who are newer to the profession play a vital role.

We agree that GPS are generally working longer and longer days, which is no good for them or their patients. But regardless of their level of experience, no GP should be expected to work a 14-hour day. Burnout among GPS is becoming increasingly common.

That’s why the College has been campaigning for more GPS and adequate funding across the United Kingdom to ensure family doctors and their patients benefit from the safest working environments possible, both now and in the future.

We also need to ensure that all GPS are able to balance their working lives with their home lives to protect their own health and wellbeing, as well as that of their patients. Professor Helen Stokes-lampard

Chair, Royal College of GPS