Under a third of GPs likely to consider becoming a partner, RCGP finds

The RCGP has issued a fresh warning over decreasing numbers of GP partners, after a new poll revealed that fewer than a third of GPs said they are ‘likely to consider becoming a partner’.

A survey of 2,317 GPs showed that 32% said they are likely to consider becoming a GP partner – but a majority (63%) believed that the model is cost-effective for the NHS, and 69% agreed that it encourages continuity of care.

The college pointed to figures from NHS England showing that the number of GP partners in England has dropped by over 25% in a decade, from 24,491 in September 2015 to 18,009 in October 2025.

And it warned that should this decline continue, there may be too few GP partners to support a partnership approach to delivering general practice in the future.

The college is calling for increased GP core funding and investment in support schemes to encourage more GPs to become partners.

The survey asked GPs what would make becoming a partner more attractive, and it found:

• 43% said greater organisational or administrative support;
• 40% said increased availability of workforce to deliver services;
• 41% said removing the requirement to invest in practice premises ownership.

The RCGP has previously called on the Government to take action to ‘break down barriers’ to GP partnership, amid concerns that the model could be destabilised entirely.

It mentioned the Darzi review which found that the health service is in a ‘critical condition’ but can be saved, with increased general practice funding. The review also argued that GPs ‘have the best financial discipline’ in the health service family as they cannot run up large deficits in the belief that they will be bailed out.

RCGP chair Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown said: ‘The GP partnership model delivers substantial benefits for both the NHS and patients. It is cost-effective and enables practices to innovate and tailor their care to the specific needs of their local communities. It is therefore deeply concerning that so many GPs report that they’re not considering partnership roles.

‘After decades of underfunding and poor workforce planning, it’s clear that GPs need more support generally – but also more support to take on partnership roles. At present, the prospect of managing a practice within extremely tight budgets, with limited capacity to recruit staff , and taking on responsibility for inadequate buildings is deterring many GPs from becoming partners.

‘While the RCGP supports a mixed model of general practice delivery, it is essential to protect the core principles of partnership: professional autonomy, continuity of care, and accountability to local communities. If we value the tailored, relationship-based care this model provides, it must be adequately supported.

‘This is particularly important as England’s 10-Year Health Plan places greater emphasis on moving care into the community. To realise these ambitions safely and sustainably, funding must follow, ensuring GP partners have the resources they need to provide safe and timely care close to home.’

Following the publication of the 10-year plan, health secretary Wes Streeting said the Government will not replace ‘really effective GP partnerships’ as part of its plans to reform the NHS.