Help us understand the issue of sessional GP unemployment
Last summer, the BMA conducted a survey of locum GPs, providing valuable insights into the growing locum GP unemployment crisis. However, we recognise that this issue is also significantly impacting salaried GPs.
We are now calling on all members affected by GP unemployment to complete the following survey and attend our sessional GPs virtual rally.
Your input is critical to understanding the full extent of the GP unemployment crisis and strengthening our lobbying efforts for meaningful change.
The insights gathered from our last survey have been instrumental in shaping our advocacy work around GP unemployment. Below are some of the stark statistics that underscore the urgency of this issue of GP unemployment:
- 84% of locum GPs reported struggling to find suitable work.
- Locum GPs experienced a reduction in sessions worked, with an average drop from 5.8 to 3 per week.
- 91% noted a decrease in role availability, further exacerbating the employment challenges.
What is causing the issue of sessional GP unemployment?
ARRS
Introduced in 2019, the ARRS was designed to expand the primary care workforce by funding non-GP roles within multidisciplinary teams. However, the exclusion of GPs from this funding has created significant challenges, leaving experienced doctors underutilised despite their critical expertise.
How ARRS impacts GP unemployment
Our view is that the ring-fencing of ARRS funds for non-GP roles, combined with stagnant core funding and rising operational costs, has severely constrained practices’ ability to employ GPs and resulted in increased sessional GP unemployment at a time when demand for GP services by patients is extremely high. This leaves practices with no other option but to utilise the resources they have available to cover service provision which has decreased the demand on sessional GPs, leading to reduced job security and financial instability.
Recent amendments to ARRS
Late in the summer, amendments allowing newly qualified GPs to be employed under ARRS funds were introduced. The funding is however controlled at the Primary Care Network (PCN) level, this means that many new GPs face the prospect of relocation to distant areas, disrupting their personal lives and undermining the continuity of care for patients. It also does nothing to address the problem for experience sessional GPs who are struggling to find work.
Increasing core funding to address GP unemployment
To address the issue of GP unemployment and meet patient needs, we are advocating for increased core funding so that GP practices have adequate funding at practice level to enable them to make recruitment decisions tailored to their patients’ needs.
Register to attend unite for action: Sessional GP unemployment virtual rally
The BMA Sessional GP committee is calling for sessional GPs struggling with unemployment or to find adequate work to attend a virtual rally on 12 February, between 7.30-9.00pm.
This event marks a significant step in our campaign to spotlight the critical unemployment crisis facing sessional GPs. The rally aims to mobilise action, demonstrating the collective strength of feeling, and providing practical advice on how you can apply pressure to drive change.
You’ll also hear from GP leaders who are working on your behalf, sharing updates on their efforts to represent these concerns at both national and local levels.
BMA GP Collective action in England
You will be aware that GP practices across England have been taking collective action since August. While we may not be directly part of the action now, your role as a sessional GP is essential in driving change and ensuring a sustainable future for general practice.
How you can get involved:
- Discuss the challenges of sessional GP unemployment with your practice and emphasise the importance of addressing funding shortfalls, reducing workloads, and advocating for sustainable employment practices through the decisive actions list on the campaign webpage.
- Understanding the broader campaign for better funding and safer working conditions will empower you to contribute effectively to the collective push for change.
The BMA’s GP Campaign webpage provides comprehensive information on collective actions and resources to help GPs navigate this challenging time:
- Safe working guidance
- Guidance on GP collective action
- Downloadable resources to raise awareness of the campaign
By actively participating in these efforts, you will be contributing to a stronger and more sustainable general practice. Together, we can advocate for better funding and create an environment where every GP - salaried, locum or partner - feels empowered to provide the highest standard of care for patients while safeguarding their own wellbeing.