The situation is likely to be made considerably worse by the imminent retirement of many doctors from the Asian sub-continent, who were recruited to solve a similar staffing crisis in the 1960s. The government wants to recruit an extra 2,000 GPs by 2004. But the British Medical Association has warned that without an increase of 10,000 in GP numbers there is no way the ambitious targets laid out in last year's NHS Plan will be achieved. The plan set out proposals to guarantee all patients access to a family doctor within 48 hours. Low morale Morale among GPs is said to be dangerously low, with many set on early retirement.
Doctors say they are over-worked.
The depth of the morale problems in general practice were graphically illustrated by a survey in GP magazine published this week. I would leave this job in an instant if I could. The cash payment for trainees entering practices in poorer areas is aimed at reducing the high rate of young doctors who do not go on to be GPs when they finish their studies. The proposed moves are positive, and can only help. However, there is a great deal more that can be done.