Despite various schemes to improve GP recruitment and retention, the number of WTE GPs fell during 2017 and surveys suggest that many more GPs, including 61% of those over 50 years, are planning to stop clinical work long before retirement age (University of Manchester 2017 survey).
Various national initiatives are in progress to broaden the workforce for general practice and primary care to include pharmacists, physician assistants, musculo-skeletal practitioners and mental health workers. These schemes are generally well-received by GPs and patients, but the lead time for developing these roles is considerable, and towns and cities around the country are facing the closure of multiple practices, with many surgeries run by interim providers.
This workshop, run in partnership between the Nuffield Trust and NHS England, will examine the actions needed at a national and local level to support the continued delivery of comprehensive, holistic ‘first point of contact’ health care with a shrinking medical workforce. In particular, we will consider the potential impact of:
- Redesigning general practice to include a wider professional skill mix working with other local providers
- Addressing the social determinants of health in order to ‘de-medicalise’ issues
- Technology that can support diagnosis and self-care
This event is invitation only. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch via events@nuffieldtrust.org.uk