Our survey on 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 recognised that this issue also significantly affects salaried GPs.
To build on this work, we recently conducted a new survey to capture the full scope of GP underemployment and unemployment across the UK. The findings confirm the severity of the issue with:
- 52% of GPs wanting to work more hours in the NHS but cannot find suitable opportunities.
- 15% of respondents are unable to find any GP work at all.
- 60% of GPs reported a decline in pay rates for GP work over the past year.
- 69% reported experiencing stress or anxiety due to un- or underemployment, with many also facing financial hardship.
- One in five (21%) are making definite plans to leave the profession, and nearly half (47%) are considering alternative career paths.
These findings highlight the urgent need for action to address the GP workforce crisis. The insights from this and previous surveys will continue to be instrumental in shaping our work, strengthening our lobbying efforts and pushing for policy changes.
What is causing the issue of sessional GP unemployment?
ARRS
Introduced in 2019, the ARRS was designed to expand the NHS 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.
Unite for action: Sessional GP unemployment virtual rally
The BMA virtual rally on GP unemployment took place in February. The event brought together expert speakers to discuss the growing crisis of GP unemployment and what can be done to address it:
- Sessional GPs committee executive member, Veno Suri highlighted key challenges, including increased workloads, declining job availability, and concerns over ARRS funding and supervision.
- GPs committee England chair Katie Bramall-Stainer gave insights into the urgent need to correct financial erosion in the GMS contract, stabilise practices, and push for better funding.
- Matt Mayer, chief executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire LMCs emphasised the importance of GP involvement in LMCs, encouraging sessional GPs to engage with their local representatives for support and advocacy.
- Victoria Tzortziou-Brown from the RCGP outlined the pressing need for workforce planning, increased funding and retention initiatives to secure the future of general practice.
- GP registrars committee co-chairs Cheska Ball and Vicki McKay shared their concerns about job scarcity, the impact on international medical graduates, and the emotional toll of uncertainty.
- Finally, Amy Small encouraged GPs to take action by using their networks, engaging with local committees, and exploring creative job options like urgent treatment centres and extended access hubs.
You can watch the event back here.
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.