One-third of GPs say they regret their decision to enter profession
ONE-THIRD of family doctors have said they regret their career choice, as ministers faced calls to do more to tackle what has been described as a “perfect storm” facing GP services.
The findings of a survey carried out by the Scottish Liberal Democrats comes amid an ongoing recruitment crisis in the profession, as an increasing number of practices struggle to recruit permanent GPs at the same time that patient numbers and workload is increasing.
Of almost 400 doctors who completed the questionnaire, just over 33 per cent said they would not become a GP if they had their time again, with one remarking that they wished they had become a vet instead.
The amount of work facing family doctors was a major concern, with fewer than one in 20 describing their workload as “manageable”.
Health Secretary Shona Robison responded by pointing out that she had pledged an extra £60 million over the next three years for primary care, as part of a Scottish Government investment plan.
However, the Liberal Democrat survey found almost half of doctors were unaware of the plan, a result the LibDems said indicated a “remarkable lack of communication” with frontline staff. Of the 52 per cent aware of the plan, nearly four in five said it was insufficient to address the challenges faced by the profession.
He said: “Funding of primary used to be nine per cent of the health budget but it is now seven per cent after eight years of the SNP being in power, so they have underfunded the primary care service quite significantly.
“We need to look at that funding balance but the RCGP (Royal College of General Practitioners) has also produced a blueprint recommending a recruitment programme and for the current GP contract to be scrapped.”
Miles Mack, chair of RCGP Scotland, described the survey results as worrying and said increased investment in general practice would save the NHS money overall.
Dr Mack added: “The NHS has never needed GPs more. The Cabinet Secretary’s call for a conversation gives us an opportunity to make sure general practice is seen as the desirable, rewarding and challenging role it can be when given the appropriate resources.”
The Scottish Government has said that the number of GPs working in Scotland had risen to record levels. However, more are choosing to work part time at a time when patient numbers are rising.