Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Paragraph: 57
General practice administrative workload remains unsustainable despite initial reduction efforts.
Conclusion
The Government and NHS England have made a start on reducing the administrative workload in general practice, and it is also encouraging to see some Integrated Care Systems agreeing to try to reduce the amount of work that is inappropriately transferred from secondary care to primary care. However, it is clear that there is still a long way to go to make GP workloads more sustainable.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, focusing on existing GP retention schemes (National GP Retention Scheme, Fellowship Programme) and exploring flexible working to support retention, while noting that GP partnerships are responsible for reviewing working conditions.
Paragraph Reference:
57
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Partially accept. We recognise the importance of retention in growing the GP workforce, and partially accept this recommendation. To support retention, NHS England have in place the National GP Retention Scheme. This scheme is a package of financial and educational support to help doctors remain in clinical general practice. As GPs are independent contractors it is the responsibility of GP partnerships, supported by the Royal College of GPs and the British Medical Association, to review their working conditions and consider what would attract salaried GPs or new partners. NHS England has provided funding to support newly qualified GPs into regular employment. This includes career coaching through the Looking After Your Career scheme, and the General Practice Fellowship Programme. The Fellowship Programme guarantees the opportunity for every newly qualified GP entering general practice to receive funded mentorship, funded continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities of one session per week, and rotational placements within or across Primary Care Networks to develop their experience and support their transition into the workforce in a local area. We recognise that flexible working can often be a reason for GPs choosing to become locums. NHS England is exploring how primary care organisations can practically embed the principles of flexible working. The Institute of Employment Studies—commissioned by NHS England—have recently completed research on job crafting in general practice and published a report with six case studies illustrating examples of where practices are working innovatively to support improved flexible working opportunities for staff.