Fall in Salaried GPs

The recruitment of salaried GP’s has been highlighted in the NHS long term plan. With the number of salaried members of staff in the NHS on a rapid decline we focus on the affects this is having to the healthcare industry and the benefits of locum work throughout the sector. The long-term plan sees the pledge of an additional 5000 salaried GP’s by 2020, however recent figures do not reflect this target being on track.

Since 2018 the NHS has lost almost 1000 salaried doctors, however, this figure stretches across many sectors. The overall headcount for GP’s within the NHS has increased by 459 in a year. This figure reflects a more flexible working schedule for salaried GP’s. There has been an increase in the number of salaried practitioners taking on part time hours to offer a more flexible and joyful work/life balance.

The figures

At present the UK has 34,000 working Salaried GPs with 11,000 salaried nurse practitioners working in the healthcare sector. Although the number of recruited salaried practitioners is on the rise, it is the decline of full-time members of staff we are to focus on.

The decline of full-time staff is a direct reflection on the stress members of staff are currently facing within the NHS. Recent research shows the main reason behind staff taking to part time roles more than the full-time salaried positions is due to work/life balance and creating a pleasant equilibrium between the two.

Between 2010 and 2016 research showed a rise in locums by up to 62%, this figure has continued to grow over the last three years and we suspect this is due to the enjoyable balance and freedom to pick the shifts the suit you as a clinician.

Can we Help Salaried GP’s?

AppLocum have seen an increase in the number of locum registrations over the last 12 months. This directly coincides with the decline in the number of doctors taking on full time contracts. The deterioration in the number of full-time contracts has also affected salaried nursing figures and figures within the health and social care industry. Though many will argue that the drop in interest regarding full-time positions is going to have a negative effect on the NHS, we do not see that this is the case.

With salaried doctors and nurses over stretched, stressed, under paid and overrun we need to ensure we are taking care of the professionals who take care of us when we need it most. By providing locum opportunities within the NHS, we are enabling vital staff to take control of their schedules and importantly their physical and mental health. When provided with the opportunity to pick and choose the shifts that best suit your availability, you can prioritise family and social life; having a positive effect on work ethic and capability.

Making Staff Happy

We have previously focused clinician burn out, mental health and stress in the workplace. You may be able to argue that the reduction in the number of salaried GPs, nurses and health and social workers is directly linked to the pressures felt throughout the NHS.

By offering skilled clinicians the opportunity to work within your setting at their own convenience you are assured that clinics run smoothly, with establishment moral and focus also positively affected.

We can battle the staffing crisis by offering flexible opportunities to clinicians looking for more part-time based roles. AppLocum are here to support both practice managers and all clinicians alike in order to provide the general public with high quality care and support.

See our vacancies here.