4.4 Challenges of general practice (2024)

FAQs

What are the challenges facing general practice? ›

GP practices across the country are experiencing significant and growing strain with declining GP numbers, rising demand, struggles to recruit and retain staff and knock-on effects for patients. This page provides analysis on the pressures in general practice and is updated monthly with new data.

We simply do not have enough GPs to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population, with increasingly complex needs, on top of managing the fallout from the pandemic. This includes increasing numbers of people experiencing 'Long COVID' and mental health issues.

One of the most difficult aspects is the emotional toll. They deal with life and death situations daily. This constant exposure to human suffering can be overwhelming. They must remain composed while delivering bad news to patients and their families.

There is no recommended number of FTE GPs per 1,000 patients per practice, recognising the differing needs of the registered patients of GP practices. GP practices plan and utilise their workforce to best meet the needs of their patients.

Many GPs have said they now have more than 40 or 50 patient contacts a day as demand soars. There were 2,294 patients per GP as of April 2024, an increase of 7.2 per cent since 2019, according to the latest figures from the Royal College of GPs.

We're immensely understaffed. Partners are leaving their partnerships, practices are closing down. If it goes on the way it is, we will have no primary care any more. For many UK GPs, the seemingly endless demands on their time and “overwhelming” number of patient contacts are key components of work-related stress.

“Unsustainable workload and burnout among the profession is contributing to early retirement. “General practice clinics are already affected by this general practice exodus, with an increasing proportion of practice owners reporting that sourcing and retaining GPs is a key challenge.

In doctor ranks, the lowest level is general practitioner, and the highest rank is ordinary. 1- (Dr.) General Practitioner: The general practitioner's duties include examining patients, writing prescriptions and reports.

What is the easiest doctor to become with a high salary? ›

GPs often work long hours and have a high patient load, leaving little time for socializing or connecting with others. The constant pressure to provide quality healthcare services within time constraints can create a sense of professional solitude.

The data showed that the average payment per registered payment has risen by £4.04 in the past year – up from £159.61 in 2020/21. The average payment per weighted patient has also risen slightly. It was £159.61 in 2020/21 and rose to £163.68 this year.

Unlike hospital doctors, GPs are not employed by the NHS – the practice works like a small business, receiving a sum of money per patient. We get about £73 as a basic payment for caring for each patient for a whole year.

The European Union of General Practitioners and BMA have recommended a safe level of patient contacts per day in order for a GP to deliver safe care at not more than 25 contacts per day. 'At Your Service', published by the Policy Exchange and forwarded by Sajid Javid, states that 28 patient contacts per day is safe.

increasing the number and range of health professionals working in general practice (giving patients access to professionals with different skillsets) requiring practices to work together to extend their opening times. supporting practices to improve their telephony and triage systems.

Recognizing a problem of practice is the first step of instructional rounds. They allow educators to decide which teaching practices to focus on to help students achieve learning goals. It's important to note that problems of practice focus on instruction.