Quarter of Scottish GPs consider quitting in next two years, a BMA survey has revealed

As reported by The Times, a survey by the British Medical Association found that a quarter of GPs in Scotland are considering quitting in the next two years

The survey found that only five per cent of respondents believe their practice is in a long-term sustainable position.

Some 60% said they feared for the future of their practice if it was to lose a GP.

It has also emerged that more than 40% of practices cannot meet demand from patients.

Andrew Buist, the chairman of BMA Scotland’s GP committee, warned that without action from the Scottish government parts of the country could become “seriously under-doctored”, resulting in patients struggling increasingly to get appointments.

Buist said: “The Scottish government must take this situation seriously and show greater willingness for increased investment in core general practice services to maintain stability.”

As well as “concerted action” to recruit more GPs, he said existing doctors must also be retained. “It is no good recruiting 20 if you lose 25 in the process,” he said.

The BMA survey found that 43% of GPs in Scotland believe there is no realistic chance in the near future that their practice could meet patient demand.

Some 28% said their workload was unmanageable, with 85% saying they sometimes or regularly struggle to cope and that their work is having a negative impact on their physical and mental wellbeing.

More than 850 doctors in Scotland took part in the survey. Buist said the results “show once again just how precarious the position is for practices and GPs across Scotland”.

He stated: “It is a very bleak situation and already many GPs fear the practices they work in are simply not sustainable in the long-term — leading, of course, to further worry for patients about accessing care and continuity of care.

“Significantly, our survey suggests this is only going to get worse given the current direction of travel, with a quarter of GPs saying they will leave their current practice in the next two years and three quarters saying the last year has made them more likely to leave the profession altogether.

“That paints a very worrying picture for the future of GP services.”

He added that the situation was “taking its toll” on GPs. Buist said: “Concerningly, 85 per cent of those who responded to this survey said they sometimes or regularly struggle to cope and that work is having a negative impact on their physical or mental wellbeing.

“That is a dreadful statistic and I want every doctor out there who is feeling this way to know they are not alone and there are support services available through the BMA, regardless of membership.”

He warned the “unmanageable workloads and deteriorating work-life balance” could prompt more doctors to leave the profession.

Buist continued: “All of this suggests a position that is likely to get much worse, with practices collapsing, handing back contracts and patient care suffering as a result. Without urgent action, we will see parts of Scotland become seriously under-doctored as many patients will struggle even more than they are right now to get appointments.

“This will lead to deteriorating continuity of care, something patients greatly value, and the potential for the breakdown of primary care in those areas.”

Calling for action from the Scottish government, he said more funding was necessary alongside an “urgent review” of the target set by ministers to recruit an additional 800 GPs by 2027.

A Scottish government spokesman said: “We are grateful to GPs for the vital service they provide and thank them for their efforts in the face of sustained pressure.

“GPs can access a range of resources, including the national wellbeing hub, a 24/7 compassionate listening service, confidential mental health treatment, coaching for wellbeing and psychological therapies.

“We have delivered a record number of GPs working in Scotland, with more per head than any other country in the UK and we are making good progress on our commitment to recruit at least 800 new GPs by 2027. Since 2017 Scotland’s GP headcount has increased by 291 to a record of 5,209 in 2022.

“We have 4,731 staff working in multi-disciplinary teams providing services including physiotherapy, pharmacy and phlebotomy. We continue to support development of these teams through our investment of £170 million per year in the primary care improvement fund.”