Half of GPs think partnership model is 'no longer attractive', RCGP warns

Half of GPs in Scotland think that the traditional partnership model is ‘no longer attractive’, new RCGP figures have revealed.

The college warned that ‘growing risks and pressures’ are making GPs ‘increasingly reluctant’ to take on partnership roles, despite support for the partnership model and the benefits it brings to patients.

As part of a survey run by the RCGP, only 32% said they were ‘likely to consider’ becoming a GP partner in the future, compared with 45% who said they were unlikely. And half (50%) reported that the traditional partnership model is ‘no longer attractive to GPs’.

RCGP Scotland also analysed data from the Scottish Government’s GP Workforce Survey, which showed a stark decline in GP partners over the past decade, with whole‑time equivalent GP partners falling by 31.3%, from 3,690 in 2015 to just 2,532 in 2025.

However, the survey found endorsement of the partnership model among GPs, with 69% of respondents saying that it should be protected in forthcoming NHS reforms, and 74% saying it ‘enables innovation to improve patient care’.

RCGP Scotland chair Dr Chris Provan said: ‘Years of underfunding and neglect have left GP partners responsible for delivering increasingly complex care to a growing and ageing population, without the resources required to do so. This places enormous pressure on partners, who ultimately bear the responsibility.

‘Our survey shows that workforce shortages, premises liability, and access to business and financial training are key areas that must be addressed to make partnership more attractive.

‘Protecting the partnership model must start here. At present, the prospect of running a practice on extremely tight budgets, with limited recruitment options and responsibility for inadequate buildings, is deterring many GPs from partnership. This is reflected in the 31% fall in the number of GP partners over the last decade.’

When Scottish GPs who were not considering partnership were asked what would make the role more appealing, they identified:

Increased access to workforce (48%)
Fit‑for‑purpose premises (45%)
Training in business and financial management (39%)

Earlier this year, GP leaders in Scotland criticised the Government’s decision to invest in new ‘high street walk-in clinics’, instead of directing more money towards core general practice.

And last month, the BMA in Scotland has called on the Government to address ‘the complete lack of workforce planning’ which has led to GP underemployment.

The survey results

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the independent contractor / partnership model of general practice?

The traditional partnership model is no longer attractive to GPs
- Strongly agree – 17%
- Moderately agree – 33%
- Agree grouped – 50%
- Moderately disagree – 14%
- Strongly disagree – 10%
- Disagree grouped – 24%

It needs to be protected in any upcoming NHS reforms
- Strongly agree – 50%
- Moderately agree – 19%
- Agree grouped – 69%
- Moderately disagree – 5%
- Strongly disagree – 3%
- Disagree grouped – 8%

It allows GPs to innovate to improve patient care
- Strongly agree – 43%
- Moderately agree – 31%
- Agree grouped – 74%
- Moderately disagree – 10%
- Strongly disagree – 4%
- Disagree grouped – 13%

How likely or unlikely are you to consider becoming a GP Partner in the future?

Very likely – 10%
Fairly likely – 22%
Likely (grouped) – 32%
Neither – 16%
Fairly unlikely – 13%
Very unlikely – 32%
Unlikely (grouped) – 45%
Don’t know – 4%

What would make becoming a GP partner more attractive?

Increased availability of workforce to deliver services – 48%
Removed requirement to invest in practice premises ownership – 35%
Having premises that are fit for purpose – 45%
Greater organisational or administrative support – 35%
Access to training on business/financial management – 39%
Removed lability for employing and managing staff directly – 31%
Increased access to new to partnership payment schemes – 21%
NOTA – 23%
Other – 17%

Savanta was commissioned by RCGP to deliver this survey. The survey was in field between 28 July 2025 and 20 August 2025, and it received a total of 285 GP respondents in Scotland.

Source: RCGP

READERS' COMMENTS [3]

Please note, only GPs are permitted to add comments to articles

Tj Motown 15 May, 2026 11:01 pm

Why bother earning more money for more work when we all get taxed to oblivion and then still can’t afford anything, is probably their point.

matt greenwood 16 May, 2026 1:51 pm

RCGP does not speak for real GPs

RCGP is a organisation that has been taken and used by GPs who have vested intrest in collapse of partnership to expand their dominance.

There are fundimental reasons why its hard to get a partnership in London… right Clair ?

Centreground Centreground 18 May, 2026 11:04 am

GP Partners taking over multiple practices or APMS contracts in addition to their main surgery, are the underlying cause along with other corporates of this ongoing partnership decline motivated by millions in profits sometimes to the detriment of their own main surgery. Same GPs advertise to take over GP contracts while offering a below par service only succeeding in the emerging area of tick box medicine at scale and replacing GPs with other cheaper staff motivated by profit. How would many of these newer generation doctors even know what a partnership could be when multi surgery GP partners make all the rules for their own benefit?