In our regular news review the GPonline team looks at what’s happened to the GP workforce over the course of the five-year contract, in particular the number of GP partners. They also talk about the cost to the NHS of not retaining doctors following some BMA research and the government’s view of the workforce crisis.
They discuss the issue of drug shortages and how it is affecting GPs and patients and look at the government’s plans to tackle the ‘sick note culture’, which could see GPs lose their role signing fit notes and big changes to benefits for those with disabilities and long-term illness.
Our good news story this week is about a crowdfunder that’s raised money to support a popular local GP in her bid to keep her practice after it was put out to tender.
This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen.
Useful links
- Which ICB areas are losing GP partners fastest?
- General practice lost 2,900 partners as GP workforce shrank during five-year contract
- GPs condemn 'ridiculous' practice underfunding as registrars fear unemployment
- Leadsom claims there are '3,000 more GPs than in 2019'
- Patients left without medication as record drug shortages hit GP prescribing
- Constant NHS medicines shortages 'the new normal', report warns
