18 May 2018
Almost One in Three GPs Are So Stressed They Feel They Cannot Cope At Least Once A Week
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, RCGP Wales has published the figures to raise awareness of the impact of rising workloads on GPs' own mental health and wellbeing.
Almost one in three GPs are so stressed they feel they cannot cope at least once a week
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, RCGP Wales has published the figures to raise awareness of the impact of rising workloads on GPs' own mental health and wellbeing.
In a ComRes survey commissioned by the Royal College of General Practitioners Wales (RCGP Wales), almost one in three of Welsh GPs (32%) say they are so stressed they feel they cannot cope at least once a week.1
Due to a shortage of family doctors, GPs are struggling to cope with rising demand and are having to work harder, over longer hours, to provide care for their communities.
The College has launched a further survey to further explore the link between GP workload and wellbeing and to help identify possible solutions to the pressures GPs are under.
Responding to the statistics, RCGP Wales Chair, Dr Rebecca Payne, said:
"These findings are very concerning. Due to the GP workforce shortage, family doctors are working under extremely challenging conditions to ensure that all patients receive care when they need it.
"Many GPs are now routinely working 12-13 hour days without taking time for breaks. This pressure is taking its toll on family doctors across Wales. That can only have negative knock on effects for how able GPs are to provide for the health of their patients.
"GPs across Wales want to provide compassionate care, and many GPs repeatedly go above and beyond for their patients when they need it most. However, for GPs to continue providing this level of care, we need to ensure that GPs are also able to look after their own wellbeing.
"In Mental Health Awareness Week, I strongly encourage GPs to look out for themselves and their colleagues. We must do all we can to protect our wellbeing – there is no stigma in seeking help.
"For the sake of the profession and our patients, we need to ensure that GPs are valued, supported and empowered. That will encourage GPs to enter and remain in the profession and help ensure the future of general practice in Wales.
"GPs have told us that tackling rising workload is a priority for them and as RCGP Wales Chair, I want to do all I can to promote GP wellbeing. This is why we have launched a survey to explore GP workload and wellbeing in more depth and see how it is affecting GPs across the region.
"I strongly encourage all GPs to complete this survey."
Further Information
Louis Urruty
RCGP Wales Policy and Public Affairs Officer
0203 188 7767 / 07341 737 034
Notes
The Royal College of GPs Wales represents a network of around 2,000 GPs, aiming to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on resources, education, training, research and clinical standards.
- Evaluation of the GPFV: ComRes interviewed 156 Welsh GPs online and by telephone between 3 August and 17 September 2017. Data were not weighted. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.