The 'vicious cycle' in GP surgeries that experts claim is leaving family doctors unemployed

Experts have warned of a "vicious cycle" in GP surgeries leaving many family doctors unemployed. Meanwhile, patients are left finding it increasingly difficult to access care.

A lack of both funding and physical space is leaving GP surgeries unable to hire more doctors, as there isn't the room for them to work. A new report by GP magazine Pulse Today has drawn attention to the issue with the support of the campaign group Rebuild General Practice.

In the report, experts have said that GPs are now facing "unsustainable and unsafe" workloads. Worryingly, it also highlights concerns that the lack of GPs means that surgeries are forced to use cheaper members of staff, for example nurses and pharmacists "above the correct level of clinical responsibility".

There are also concerns highlighted in the report about “controversy about the responsibilities given to physician associates". All this led the report's authors to call for boost to GP services funding.

It argued that insufficient funding is an "underlying crisis" for GP surgeries. The report, published by Cogora, said: “There are staff available, and there are positions that need filling – the main barrier is the funding to pay for this."

Author of the report, Jamie Kaffash, editor-in-chief at Pulse Today, said: “GPs and practices are stuck in a vicious cycle.

“Rising GP unemployment alongside underfunded practices means that practices are unable to recruit the vital workforce to meet growing patient demand. Fewer GPs and more unemployed GPs is leading to unmanageable workloads for GPs and a severe increase in the risk to patient safety.”

Dr Rachel Warrington, speaking on behalf of the Rebuild General Practice campaign, added: “We desperately need more GPs within the