22.04.15
'Retirement' is misleading in the NHS
Source: Philip C
It can't be as simple as Roger H suggests, as that notorious contract change under Labour had GPs doing less work (e.g. no routine out-of-hours), not more. If they really are under so much pressure, something else must have changed in the meantime.
Chris H is right about the huge social changes since the 60s, as all highly paid professionals now expect much more leisure/family time. The huge problem that most politicians are reluctant to talk about (because it relates to immigration) is the rapidly growing population and this must be the biggest single reason why it now takes much longer just to get in to see your GP.
This is essentially a demand problem (like the problems in the rest of the NHS) and 'chucking' x billion at it won’t solve it. Under this model, the NHS will just consume an ever-increasing proportion of public spending (i.e. your taxes) and an x billion annual increase will never be enough. Finally, the word 'retirement' can be a bit misleading in the NHS. For example, a third of the GPs in my local (large) practice have recently 'retired' (i.e. taken their pension) at 60, but returned to work on more or less on the same basis. I know they won't stay long term, but may well carry on for another five years.
Re: A third of GPs considering retirement in next five years – BMA