A lack of employment opportunities is pushing general practitioners (GPs) out of the National Health Service (NHS), with some resorting to working as Uber drivers to make ends meet, experts have revealed. The situation, described as “ridiculous,” has been attributed to chronic underfunding and rising operational costs, making it difficult for GP practices to hire new doctors.
This crisis comes at a time when demand for GP appointments is higher than ever, with concerns that the problem will worsen after the upcoming increase in employer national insurance in April, as GP surgeries are not exempt from the hike.
A recent survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) found that one in five GPs in England is planning a career change due to difficulties in finding stable employment. A separate survey by Dr. Steve Taylor, which polled 1,000 GPs, revealed that a third of them were either underemployed or completely out of work.
Dr. Taylor, a Manchester-based GP and spokesperson for the Doctors Association, disclosed that some newly qualified GPs had taken on gig economy jobs, including driving for Uber, just to pay their bills. He explained that while there was once a shortage of GPs, practices now lack the financial resources to hire them. As a result, an increasing number of trained doctors remain unemployed or underemployed.
He noted that four years ago, it was uncommon for a job opening at a GP practice to attract more than one applicant. However, the situation has drastically changed, with as many as 30 applicants now competing for a single job.
Dr. Taylor described the crisis as alarming, warning that the country could end up with a “two-tier system” similar to the dentistry sector, where private providers dominate and unemployed GPs migrate to the private sector.
The BMA’s survey also revealed that 47% of respondents were considering making changes to their careers. Many were looking into clinical jobs outside the NHS (43%), moving abroad for GP opportunities (40%), or leaving healthcare entirely (38%).
Dr. Mark Steggles, chair of the BMA’s sessional GP committee, said it was “ridiculous” that so many qualified GPs could not secure employment at a time when the NHS was under immense pressure and patients were experiencing long waiting times. He warned that the trend could worsen, as it was pushing more doctors to leave the NHS altogether.
The survey findings highlight a growing concern among the public, as access to GP services remains one of the top issues facing the NHS. The government has prioritized reducing hospital waiting lists, but experts warn that neglecting GP services could further strain the healthcare system.
In December, the government pledged an additional £889 million to ease administrative burdens on GPs, aiming to allow them more time with patients. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also expanded the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), a £1.4 billion initiative aimed at hiring non-GP staff such as dietitians and social prescribers within Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
However, experts argue that this is not a long-term solution, as the scheme only covers 1,000 newly qualified GPs on short-term contracts. These roles often involve working across multiple practices, sometimes as many as 15, and come with lower salaries. As a result, many positions remain unfilled.
The BMA has called for direct funding to GP practices to increase staffing budgets and prevent a “mass exodus” of doctors. Dr. Steggles warned that unemployment rates among GPs could spike in August when 4,000 new trainees qualify, adding that the upcoming rise in employer national insurance would further worsen the crisis.
Dr. Jessica Harvey, a GP in Shropshire, said that GP practices were already struggling with rising costs and had no spare funds to hire additional staff. She described the situation as “an unprecedented crisis” and warned that patients were suffering due to chronic underfunding.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the problem, stating that the government had inherited a system where patients struggled to see a GP while trained doctors remained jobless. They assured that the government had taken steps to cut red tape and boost GP funding, promising to recruit 1,000 additional doctors as part of their healthcare reforms.
By Damilola Adeleke| March 2, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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