This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Growth in GP numbers over last three years
New NHS Digital figures have shown that there are now 7,302 more full time equivalent (FTE) health professionals working in primary care than three years ago.
Exceeding NHS England’s target of an additional 5,000 by 2020 set out in the General Practice Forward View, NHS England is celebrating how there were 2,635 FTE more staff working in primary care overall than in March 2018 (a two per cent increase) and an increase of 703 FTE over the previous quarter (a 0.5 per cent).
Furthermore, the data shows an increase of 226 FTE doctors over the last quarter – and an increase of 312 year-on-year when compared with March 2018 – as GP retention and return to practice schemes take effect and new GP trainees enter the workforce. Loss from the workforce is stabilising with 750 more FTE trainee GPs and 394 more FTE salaried GPs now working in general practice compared with March 2018.
Nikki Kanani, interim medical director for primary care and a London GP, said: “While the GP numbers show some encouraging signs, recruiting, retaining and supporting more doctors into practice remains an absolute priority for us. Today’s figures highlight the good work being done locally to support GPs through retention schemes and flexible working, as well as taking on more trainees.
“A significant increase in the number of other health professionals such as nurses, pharmacists and physicians that work alongside GPs means patients can get more timely and appropriate access to a wider range of highly trained staff. This supports family doctors to focus on patients with the most complex conditions and eases the workload pressures our GPs face.”
NHS England says that increased investment of £4.5 billion going into primary medical and community services each year by 2023-24 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan will support the recruitment of 20,000 more health professionals, including physios, pharmacists, paramedics, physician associates and social prescribing link workers over the next five years to support GPs.
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
