Advertisement

One in three GPs say they plan to quit their jobs in the next five years

Almost a third of GPs plan to retire in the next five years, prompting a call from their professional body to boost doctor numbers in the community.

Dr Nicole Higgins, president of the peak body for general practitioners poses for a photograph, in Brisbane, Friday, December 2, 2022. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Dr Nicole Higgins, president of the peak body for general practitioners poses for a photograph, in Brisbane, Friday, December 2, 2022. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has released its 7th annual Health of the Nation report, which focuses on the attraction and retention of the GP workforce.

It found GPs are seeing more patients than ever and less than one per cent of people are unable to see a GP when they need to.

At the same time, the average time GPs spend with patients has increased.

However, the workforce needs to be boosted as fewer medical students choose GP training and more GPs look to reduce their hours or leave the profession.

“Almost three in 10 GPs signalled their intention to retire in the next five years,” the report released on Wednesday said.

The sustainability of general practices also needed attention, with four out of five practice owners concerned about the viability of their practice.

“A strong GP workforce is essential for the health of our nation but it is under pressure,” RACGP President Nicole Higgins said in a statement.

InQueensland in your inbox. The best local news every workday at lunch time.
By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement andPrivacy Policy & Cookie Statement. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

“Sourcing and retaining GPs remains the issue most practice owners rank as their biggest challenge.”

The college is calling for incentive payments in the first six months of community GP training, study leave and paid parental leave for GPs in training.

“It’s unfathomable that in today’s age GPs in training don’t get paid parental leave and more so when you consider more women are becoming GPs each year than men,” Dr Higgins said.

 

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InQueensland.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy