The number of qualified GPs working for the NHS fell by the tenth month in a row, according to the latest data published yesterday.

The reduction means that an influx of trainees qualifying last year failed to redress the loss of doctors from the profession. The service in England continues to be propped up by record numbers of trainees, according to the NHS Digital data.

In December the total number of doctors working in general practice increased by 0.7%, an increase of just 21, according to the new figures. But, excluding 9,448 trainees, the numbers fell by 27 to 36,622. This compared with 37,269 in December 2021. The data also show the increase in part-time working among GPs. Some 69% of GPs are recorded as working between 15 and 37.5 hours a week. Some 23% of doctors worked full time compared with 33% in September 2015.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “General practice is understaffed, underfunded and overstretched. GPs and our teams are at the forefront of delivering care to increasing numbers of patients with common winter illnesses as well as interim care to the millions of patients on NHS waiting lists, as well as continuing to deliver routine care and services. This escalating workload with falling GP numbers is unsustainable and needs to be addressed.

“Today’s figures highlight the hard work of GPs and our teams to deliver care and services to our patients in the face of intense workload and workforce pressures. In December, more than 27 million consultations were delivered in general practice, with nearly half delivered on the same day they were booked – but numbers of fully qualified, full-time equivalent GPs has fallen by 754 since 2019. Patients deserve to have a general practice service that is able to deliver timely, safe and appropriate care – and GP teams deserve to have safe and sustainable circumstances in which to deliver that care. This is why the College is calling on government to urgently devise and implement a bold recruitment and retention strategy that goes beyond the target of 6,000 GPs pledged in its election manifesto, and for steps to cut bureaucracy so that GPs can spend more time with their patients and give them the care they need and deserve.”

Beccy Baird, from thinktank The King’s Fund, said: “These stats reveal the high level of demand for general practice appointments, with 27.1 million appointments in December, more than two thirds of which were face to face. This increasing need for appointments reflects a population that is growing, ageing and living longer, often with complex health needs and multiple conditions, meaning people require more appointments with their GP practice to stay well.
Despite the fact GPs are working harder than ever before to deliver these record numbers of appointments, many patients continue to face challenges accessing their GP when they need them. These issues stem from chronic staff shortages and new workforce data released today highlights the significant shortfall in GPs in England. Regardless of the model, this latest data shows that the core issue is very high demand and too few GPs. Addressing this should be a priority for government if ministers want to make it easier for people to see their GP.”