Exclusive - Shortage of partnerships forces dramatic change of heart for future GPs.

Its a shame the way General Practice is heading to. To some extent we have to ask ouselves why it's happening. Are we responsible for the acceptance of new GP's of multinational companies/ polyclinics ? If we look at the advertisement of GP jobs, it's clear more and more practices are opting for Salaried GP's. There ia a section of new GP's who clearly think this is a money saving exercise and putting profit in partner's pockets while asking young gp's to do their work. For a young GP moving into a new market, It clearly gives a message that if salried GP is a future then what is the diffrence between a NHS Practcie and a private provider. This growing frustration and the tendency to go for a Salaried GP by the practices is increasing the acceptance of the idea of polyclinics. NHS practcies through partnerships or intent of partnerships was something that improved quality and provided opportunity in the past. I believe RCGP,GPC and government has to concentrate on problems new Gp are facing and try to find a solution. Otherwise in a 5 years time, we are looking at a bleak future for General Practice.

Remember though - in salaried status you have a guaranteed income, study leave, sick leave etc and other benefits an employee has. As a partner you will take what comes, what is "left over" from running the business and over the last two years that has meant less and less. You won't have guaranteed study leave, you will pay for locums when you are off ill (until sickness insurance kicks in which will depend on your cover) and you have all the worries of running a business entails. There are pro's and cons. But make no mistake, this government, previous ones and successive ones, will want rid of self employed status - they want to be in control, or hand it over to a multinational. We'll all be wearing logos on our shirts......

when partners fleece salaried GPs for less salaries, when partners are not willing to share the cake and when it is increasingly becoming difficult for newly qualified GPs to find work as family practitioners the only option left is work for private companies. sadly 3 years ago I would have sworn never to work for a private firm. But when you note how few jobs are available, even as a salaried GP, and with the threat of repossessing hanging in the air like a festered sore, one would do anything. I cannot emphasie enough that if the senior partners really want to see GP survive then they must rally behind and find solutions to help newly qualified GPs so a united front can be created. otherwise I'm afraid it's ADIOS family practice in the next 5  - 10 years or less. 

Robert, You sound like just the sort of GP with opinions we would like to take part in our GP35 panel. See details here or email me at neil.durham@haymarket.com if you would like to take part.