This site is intended for health professionals only


One third of GPs wouldn’t choose general practice again

One third of GPs would reconsider their career choice if they were given their time again, according to a survey of the profession by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The crisis in Scottish Primary Healthcare report, which includes responses from 382 Scottish GPs, roughly one twelfth of the GP population, found that a majority (42%) would still go into the profession, but a significant number (33%) have said they would advise their junior selves down another path.

The report also showed:

  • Just 4% of GPs think their current work load is manageable;
  • 53% of GPs think QOF should be abolished, which the Scottish LMCs conference voted for earlier this year;
  • And the inappropriate and unresourced transfer of work and general workload were the top issues for GPs, with the least pressing issue ‘job security’.

In additional comments after the survey one GP noted: ‘[The Scottish Government] do not have a clue as to the time-bomb about to hit them with GP numbers.’

The report concludes: ‘It is to be regretted that the Scottish Government was unaware of this looming crisis and appears to continue to deny that the crisis even exists. The impact of this crisis is being felt far and wide and the problems that have been allowed to develop are deep rooted.’

This comes after reports last week showed almost a million consultations were carried out by GP out-of-hours services in Scotland last year, and practices struggling to meet demand either closing or reducing their lists.