4 In 10 GPS Set To Quit

Stress and hours drive medics out

- Martin Bagot

A MASS exodus of 19,000 GPs in the next five years has been predicted following a nationwide survey of family doctors.

The Royal College of GPs polled 1,300 of its members and weighted results to reflect all career stages and regions of the country.

Some 42% say they are likely to quit in the next five years, with 10% in the next year and 19% in two years.

With a headcount of more than 45,000 GPs and trainees this could mean patients are set to lose almost 19,000 medics, equivalent to more than 15,000 full-time equivalent GPS.