In the November edition, Abbt and Alderson discussed the falling numbers of GPs, the new recruits and the old hands respectively. I would argue that the growing numbers of middle-aged female GPs who want to work part-time but who are electing not to work at all is a more pressing issue. In my small training practice two out of the three GPs, both in their 30s with children, resigned soon after I finished; neither was going to another job. If this is a general trend and 60% of the GP workforce is female then it should be ringing alarm bells amongst partners about the sorts of jobs they are offering. When you have an already expensively trained and often highly skilled and ambitious workforce why aren’t you employing them? Insisting on full time working when many women and increasing numbers of men want to work part-time will not fill posts. Only advertising salaried posts often in very uninspiring ways, will not work either. What professional equal really wants to work for less pay, less holiday, less influence and no prospect of progression? More part-time partnerships with shared personal lists, or salaried jobs with a more creative approach to working, using bonuses or responsibility allowances, should be made available. CCGs should be petitioning NHS England for funds to do this. Partners are so fixated on dwindling profit margins they have forgotten what makes a job worth doing. Surely, an atmosphere of collegiate responsibility, a sense of united purpose and a sense of commitment to each other and the patients make for a happier working life? If anything is going to keep the consortia and private companies out, gathering your allies close will.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2015
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