Recent workforce data from NHS digital once again show a decline in GP numbers. The statistics are concerning. Despite government promises for 6000 more GPs by 2024, the total number of fully-qualified full-time equivalent (FTE) GPs in England dropped from 29 320 to 27 848 over the five-year period from December 2016 to December 2021. The 1,472 FTE GPs lost to the profession during this five year period represent a 5% reduction in the GP workforce. At the same time, the number of patients registered with GPs increased by about 3.3m.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hodes et al. (2022) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched one closely related paper. Consider it for comparative context: