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40% of GPs in one region considering leaving general practice

Close to half of North-East GPs are considering leaving general practice, according to the results of a new survey.

The poll of 151 GPs – including mainly locums, salaried, but also some partners and registrars – by peer support organisation the North East Sessional GP Group (NESG), found that 41% were ‘probably or definitely’ considering leaving general practice in the next three years.

The main reason given by GPs was stress from work, with other factors including the intensity of work and long hours.

But GPs said they would be prepared to work longer hours if ideal working conditions were met.

The survey found that respondents worked on average 25 hours per week, but that respondents were prepared to work an extra 11.7 hours a week on average if they were allowed longer appointments, shorter days, better admin support and more informal peer support.

Partners said they were prepared to work on average 13.7 hours more per week if ideal working conditions were met.

A number of the GPs polled in the survey said that being a locum had allowed then to have a better worklife balance and some said that they would not have continued working as a GP otherwise.