Responding to the GMC’s ‘The state of medical education and practice in the UK Workplace experiences 2024’ report1, which found 19% of doctors are reducing their hours and 41% are declining additional work due to excessive workloads, Dr Latifa Patel, BMA representative body chair and workforce lead, said:
“With large numbers of doctors struggling to cope with workload pressures and already working regularly beyond their contracted hours, we have worrying levels of burnout and patient safety is being put at risk. It’s clear doctors are now being forced to take matters into their own hands to protect themselves and their patients.
“Reducing hours will be a last resort for many doctors who want to be working, looking after patients and supporting their colleagues. But ultimately, a burnt-out doctor is not a safe doctor.
“Losing doctors from an already-short workforce will mean remaining capacity is stretched even more thinly – piling additional pressure on doctors and longer waits for patients.
“At a time when the Government is promising an extra 40,000 appointments a week at evenings and weekends, not only do we have more than four in 10 doctors declining to take on extra work, but one in five reducing their regular hours. Rising numbers of doctors are also saying they plan to make career changes in future such as reducing hours or leaving the UK altogether.
“At the same time as we see staff exhausted, stressed and burnt out, we’ve also got an absurd situation where senior doctors are penalised by pension taxation rules when they are able to take on additional work. It’s no wonder that so many doctors are deciding to reduce hours or turn down extra shifts. It’s simply not worth it for their physical, mental – or financial – health.
“That certain groups – including disabled doctors, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, women and doctors on locally-employed contracts – are feeling the pressures worse, is an indictment of a system that is not properly supporting and protecting its staff.
“Even with increased recruitment, it’s clear the NHS, the Government, regulators and training bodies need to do much more to support doctors and keep them in the workforce – rather than forcing them to reluctantly reduce work or letting them go prematurely. The GMC is right to highlight this untenable position and what needs to be done to support and value doctors to deliver safe patient care.
“With near-record high waiting lists, it’s more important than ever that doctors can do their jobs with enough time, resources and respect for their professional expertise, so they can deliver what they have trained uniquely hard to do: care for patients.”
Responding to specific findings about GPs, Dr Alan Stout and Dr Andrew Buist, co-chairs of GPC UK at the BMA, said:
“It’s unsurprising this report found that GPs are changing their working patterns. We know that many, overworked and exhausted, are being pushed to do this for the sake of their own health and wellbeing. Just this week, a BJGP study found GPs in England alone work 49.2% more hours per session than previously defined.
“Changes to work patterns are a symptom of the pressures facing general practice. For too long, practices haven’t been given the funding they need to keep up with rising running costs, hire the staff they need, or, in some cases, stay open. On top of growing patient demand, many GPs are at breaking point.
“Core GP contract funding must be increased, so that practices can afford to provide safe, efficient GP-led services that reduce pressure on staff. More immediately, Health Departments must agree a fair method for funding the latest DDRB uplift and associated overheads for all practice staff with us, or there is a significant risk of crippling practice finances even further.”Ends
Notes to editors
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.
1. Full report on the GMC's website.