LATEST figures show a decrease in the number of full time GPs in general practice and no increase in overall GP numbers in England.
The BMA’s Dr Krishna Kasaraneni said: “These figures underline just how far we are from meeting the government’s own target of recruiting and retaining more GPs.
“Despite the constant promises from ministers that the GP workforce would be increased by 5,000, the number of full time GPs has fallen once again while the overall number has stagnated.
“There is also a great deal of uncertainty as Article 50 is triggered about the future status of doctors and other healthcare professionals from the European Union. With almost half of the 10,000 EEA doctors working in the NHS considering leaving the UK because of the referendum result this could further reduce the number of GPs delivering care in the NHS.
“The NHS is at breaking point and it is not acceptable for this recruitment and retention crisis to be allowed to get worse.”
