22 August 2017
Encouraging Upsurge in GP Recruitment - But Must Not Rest on Our Laurels, Says RCGP
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, has responded to latest workforce figures from NHS Digital.
She said: "There is no doubt that there is a long way to go before we have the number of GPs we really need – or the number pledged in NHS England's GP Forward View – but it is important that we do recognise success when we find it, and an increase of 321 more GPs in the workforce over a three month period is certainly not to be sniffed at.
"If we continue on an upwards trajectory throughout the course of the GP Forward View, then we will substantially increase the number of GPs in the workforce – and if we also consider the potential from new plans to recruit at least 2,000 overseas doctors by 2020, announced by NHS England today, this is positive for the profession.
"We must not rest on our laurels. We must continue to pull out every stop imaginable to recruit more GPs, make it easier for trained GPs to return to practice, and perhaps most importantly address workload and conditions in general practice, so that more GPs stay in our profession, delivering patient care for years to come.
"Ultimately, we need the pledges made in NHS England's GP Forward View – including £2.4bn extra a year for general practice, 5,000 more full-time equivalent GPs, and 5,000 more members of the practice team by 2020 – delivered in full and as a matter of urgency. We also need to see similar commitments made – and implemented – in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so that GPs can continue to deliver the care our patients need and deserve right across the UK."
Further Information
RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 52,000 family doctors working 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 education, training, research and clinical standards.