GENERAL PRACTICE
A THIRD OF GPS PLANNING TO RETIRE IN NEXT FIVE YEARS - BMA
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third of GPs are considering retiring from general practice within the next five years, according to a BMA survey of 15,560 GPs. The results call into question the feasibility of election pledges to dramatically increase the number of GPs. The BMA poll was released as part of their ‘No More Games’ campaign, which calls on political parties to have an honest and open public debate about the future of the NHS.
“It is clear that incredible pressures on GP services are at the heart of this problem, with escalating demand having far outstripped capacity.” Dr Chaand Nagpaul CHAIR OF THE BMA GP COMMITTEE
Key findings from the survey about the current state of the GP workforce include: • One third of GPs (34%) are considering retiring from general practice in the next five years. • Almost three in ten (28%) who are currently working full time said they are thinking about moving to part time. • Nine per cent would consider moving abroad and seven percent would consider quitting medicine altogether. • Over two thirds of GPs (68%) state that while manageable, they experience a significant amount of work related stress. However, one in six (16%) feel their stress is significant and unmanageable. • GPs cite various factors that have a negative impact on their commitment to being a GP, including excessive workload (71%), unresourced work being moved into general practice (54%) and not enough time with their patients (43%). • Despite the pressures on general practice
just under half (47%) would recommend a career as a GP, but a third (35%) would not advocate working in general practice. “It is clear that incredible pressures on GP services are at the heart of this problem, with escalating demand having far outstripped capacity,” said Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA GP committee chair. “GPs are overworked and intensely frustrated that they do not have enough time to spend with their patients, especially the increasing numbers of older people with multiple and complex problems who need specialised care.” “Instead GPs are being taken away from treating patients by pointless paperwork or other work that has often been moved without proper resourcing into the community. Many GPs are facing burnout from increased stress.” www.bma.org.uk
PATIENT SAFETY
BLAME AND SHAME CULTURE STILL EXISTS SAY TWO-THIRDS OF DOCTORS
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ore than two in three doctors believe there is a blame and shame culture in the NHS and that it will be difficult to overcome, according to a survey by the Medical Protection Society (MPS). The survey of more than 500 UK members, including GPs, consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors, found that things had got worse since a similar survey in 2011. Only 16% of respondents thought legislation could be used to improve openness in healthcare. MPS believes that legislative tools - such as the statutory duty of candour now in effect in England and Wales - are not the most effective way of achieving behavioural change. “Legislating to govern the behaviours of healthcare professionals risks creating a ‘tick-box’ mentality,” said Dr Rob Hendry, Medical Director at the Medical Protection. “Mandating actions and threatening sanctions could undermine the intensely sensitive, personalised and patient-centred conversations that should happen with patients and their families when something has gone wrong.” The majority of respondents (72%) felt that education and training would encourage openness in the profession, 65% 6
NEWS PULSE
pointed to the need for better top-down support from management, and mentoring was also considered an important factor for 50% of respondents. www.mps.org.uk