The General Medical Council’s [GMC] most recent workforce report has highlighted major imbalances in the NHS workforce.
The data, compiled for ‘The state of medical education and practice in the UK’ report which is published annually, shows that the number of doctors joining the health workforce overall has increased by 17 per cent in the previous five years, but growth varies across different groups of doctors.
The GMC warns that if left unchecked, an already evident shortfall in primary care will intensify which will further inhibit the ability of patients to access GP services.
It adds that the number of speciality & associate speciality [SAS] and locally employed [LE] doctors on its registered has increased sixfold compared to the growth in the number of GPs in the same amount of time.
The GMC says that this is primarily down to doctors entering the workforce from overseas, a trend which could by 2030 see SAS and LE doctors in secondary care forming the largest portion of the overall medical workforce.
Meanwhile, The King’s Fund think tank has released findings from its own research suggesting that qualified GPs are looking to reduce the number of clinical sessions they work due to the volume and intensity of workload, a move which will only squeeze services further.
Suzie Bailey, The King’s Fund’s director of leadership and organisation development, says: “(This report) once again highlights the difficulties in particular in recruiting and retaining GPs. Our own research showed that GPs are intending to reduce the number of clinical sessions they work, often due to the volume and intensity of the workload.
“At a time when the NHS is in the depths of a staffing crisis, it is important that decision-makers consider all options on the table for shoring up the workforce so that the health service can deliver the timely, high-quality care that patients expect, and staff want to deliver.”
The GMC outlines in its findings that many SAS doctors are calling for better working environments but also additional support in career development and progression, yet they face numerous barriers to this.
Furthermore, current regulations prevent SAS doctors from working in primary care areas which are experiencing some of the most severe workforce issues.
Bailey adds: “It will be important to explore how skilled doctors can be supported and developed to take up a wider range of work, including in primary care. This will require much more than just a relaxation of the rules, including a culture shift to embed change and adequate support for these staff to work to their full potential.
“The finding that there is greater diversity in the medical workforce with an increasing number of doctors working in the NHS from minority ethnic groups is to be celebrated. However, the NHS Staff Survey published earlier this year showed that staff from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to experience bullying, harassment or abuse from patients, their relatives or members of the public, than their white colleagues, highlighting that there is still much progress to be made with regards to diversity in the NHS.”
Bailey concludes that this plethora of issues calls for government to devise a fully costed and long-term workforce plan for the industry, which has not yet been forthcoming.
“These issues, combined with the fact that the number of doctors leaving the NHS workforce each year has returned to pre-pandemic levels, all underline the urgent need for a fully funded, long term workforce plan for health and social care.”
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