The British Medical Association has today (Wednesday 13 July) published a statement which warns that GPs need more support to continue meeting rising demand for appointments.
Commenting on this, Naeem Nazem, Head of Medical Division at MDDUS, said: “GPs and their teams are working incredibly hard to continue to provide high quality primary care during an extremely challenging time.
“But this sustained pressure is taking its toll on the profession. Our latest survey of almost 2,000 members revealed that one in two GPs were considering early retirement or leaving the profession altogether, citing increased workloads, mental health and wellbeing, and staff shortages as the main reasons.
“In response, we introduced our own wellbeing service for members in addition to the support and expertise we offer them.
“As the NHS continues to recover from the pandemic, it is crucial that, when making decisions about workforce planning, protecting health professionals’ wellbeing is treated as a top priority.
“GPs urgently need recognition, reassurance and realism to feel supported to safely meet patient demand.”
ENDS
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) is a mutual organisation that protects the professional interests of more than 54,000 doctors and dentists across the United Kingdom, offering access to indemnity, support and legal advice.
For further information please contact Caroline English, communications manager, on cenglish@mddus.com or 07741 237856.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.