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RCGP begins campaign for 10% extra funding in general practice

An RCGP survey showing that almost half of GPs are spending at least 11 hours in surgery will be used as part of a campaign calling for a 10% rise in funding for general practices by 2022, the college has said.

The survey, of 258 GP practices across the UK, also revealed that half of UK GPs are conducting up to 40-60 consultations a day. A huge 93% said that working in general practice is more stressful than five years ago while almost six in ten GPs work until 7pm or later, according to the survey.

A statement from the college said: ‘General practice currently receives only 9% of NHS funding, despite family doctors carrying out 90% of the NHS contacts. The RCGP is calling for a 10% increase to current funding for general practice, including 10,000 more GPs – approximately one per practice – by 2022.’

RCGP chair Dr Clare Gerada said the survey ‘explodes the myth’ that GPs are working less hard than other health professionals.

‘The results of this poll show that general practice is in a state of crisis and that urgent action must be taken to restore the ability of our family doctors to deliver safe patient care for all. The findings are truly shocking and explode the myth that GPs are somehow working less hard than other professionals across the health service.’

‘The findings of this poll are truly shocking and they explode the myth, peddled by certain people in recent weeks, that GPs are somehow working less hard than other professionals across the health service.’