Gloucester has lowest number of GPs for population
Figures show there's less than 41 doctors for every 100,000 people
There are fewer GPs per head of population in Gloucester than the rest of the county, according to the latest figures.
Health bosses presented a report today detailing the challenges they are facing regarding GP recruitment and retention in Gloucestershire.
They say before and increasingly since the Covid-19 pandemic, GP numbers have been challenged nationally.
And while the county’s GP workforce is slightly above the national average they are concerned as GPs can leave, move or change their roles meaning that recruitment and retention remains an ongoing focus for local practices.
NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group officers say this is down to a range of factors including significant increases in workload, changing patient demographics, negative media portrayal of general practice, complaints, a desire and need for a more balanced home and work life and increasing administrative burden.
These factors have resulted in increased burnout, sickness and a reduction of GP sessions/hours in some cases to reduce stress.
The partner and salaried GP whole time equivalent number and GPs per 100k population in Gloucester is 40.92, in Cheltenham it is 49.13 while it’s 54.33 in North and South Cotswolds.
In Stroud and Berkeley Vale it’s 56.11, the figure in Tewkesbury, Newent and Staunton is 60.50 while it is 58.63 in the Forest of Dean.
In terms of the total number of total partner plus salaried whole time equivalent, Cheltenham has 80, Gloucester City 74, North and South Cotswolds 51, Stroud and Berkeley Vale 70, Tewkesbury Newent and Staunton 27 and there are 38 in the Forest of Dean.
Director of Primary Care and Locality Development Helen Goodey told Gloucestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee that they are focussing on addressing the issues affecting Gloucester.
“Gloucester city is more challenged in terms of GP recruitment,” she said. “We are above the national average in terms of the number of GPs, only just and the position is worsening.
“It’s fair to say we are in a more challenging position now than we were three, four or five years ago. It is evident that GPs are more inclined to work as a locum or salary GP rather than a partner.
“The challenges around demand, financial risks as well, the contract itself, all of these things are contributing that it is a worsening position.
“We also know that in areas such as Gloucester City it is more challenging in terms of recruitment and retention of GPs.”