The growing shortage of GPs in the UK has become more apparent as new figures surface. The number of vacancies for GPs has increased by nearly 50% in the last year, and with almost one in ten vacant positions for GP partners left unfilled, it begs the question as to why?
 
The number of positions being left vacant has quadrupled in the last four years, and with the Conservatives’ pledge to improve accessibility to GPs across the country, a number of factors should be considered as to how this could be met in the current shortage.
 
Pulse Magazine carried out the survey to try and bridge the gap between politicians’ policies and GPs’ opinions on the subject.
 
Family doctors answered that they’d more than likely take early retirement, or consider emigration due to the increasing demand from the ageing population putting an ever-increasing strain on their workloads. A BBC poll found that only 6% of GPs plan to work in the profession until the age of 65.
 
With one in five practises saying it takes at least a year to fill one GP vacancy, the need for ready-made doctors willing to work for longer becomes more apparent.