Suffolk GP wants more done to retain staff working in healthcare
A survey suggests young people's perceptions of poor working conditions within the industry are putting them off from joining
A GP from Suffolk says the NHS is struggling with retaining staff in healthcare.
This follows a survey that suggests young people's perceptions of poor working conditions within the industry are putting them off from joining.
Dr Peter Smye from Bury St Edmunds told us that often experienced staff leave the profession because of "burnout or they've just had enough" but that many different factors are behind the decisions.
He explained that he thinks in the NHS, and specifically his sector of General Practice, that what is contributing to this is the huge demand and amount of pressure they are facing.
For example GPs are finding "3 to 4% of the entire population ring them on a Monday morning for an appointment."
Despite all this, Peter maintains he "enjoys" his job, saying that it is "interesting" and "massively rewarding."
As well as this he says the NHS is continuing to try and "look after its people".
"Rewarding"
We then spoke to Alex Levitt Powell from West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
He told us they have actually seen an increase in the amount of people coming into healthcare, with their numbers doubling in a few years.
He believes that part of the appeal of working in the NHS is that it is "a career" and provides "progression opportunities".
He also agreed that it is very "rewarding".
"I think once you're in, you get hooked in looking after people and you have to be really passionate about that."
We then asked about his perception of retention in the NHS, and how they are encouraging staff to stay.
He explained they have multiple things in place to try and support people as much as possible including "teaching best practice...picking up any pastoral issues... signposting to well-being...We're strong in that."