DAUK has warned the lack of clarity over the future of GP services is deterring younger family doctors from becoming GP partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Steve Taylor, GP co-lead of the Doctors\u2019 Association UK (DAUK), was speaking to GP Online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GP Online reported general practice in England has lost almost 700 full-time equivalent GP partners since the last general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The numbers of younger partners was \u2018in freefall\u2019, it reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Taylor said: \u201cThe ongoing uncertainty about the future of GP services and in particular partnerships is causing younger GPs to think that there is no point considering taking on the risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This reluctance is leaving \u2018a smaller group of GP partners carrying the risk and burden\u2019, Dr Taylor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cA 20% cut in pounds-per-patient funding has left many practices with little choice but to take pay cuts and reduce costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As hospital trusts run a \u00a32.2bn deficit, GP practices are being left to \u2018pick up the pieces of a failing NHS without the resources\u2019, Dr Taylor added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAUK has launched a campaign \u2013 Your GP, here for you<\/a> \u2013 for a new patient-centred GP contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It calls for a rise in funding per patient to secure the future of partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn reality this needs to be \u00a340\u2013\u00a350 per patient per year,\u201d Dr Taylor said. \u201cWithout it there will be no GP services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n