The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), along with the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG), has responded to the latest General Medical Council (GMC) Workplace Experiences report.
The GMC report echoes the findings from last month’s UK consultant physician census, which highlighted the growing pressures on the medical workforce.
According to the census, nearly two in five (39%) of UK consultant physicians report having an excessive workload almost all or most of the time. Alarmingly, nearly one in five (18%) said they “almost never” feel in control of their workload. Additionally, the report reveals a worrying trend: almost a quarter of doctors (23%) took a leave of absence due to stress in the past year, up from 17% in 2021.
Overworked Doctors and Impact on Patient Care
Dr Mumtaz Patel, Senior Censor and Vice President for Education and Training, currently acting as RCP President, responded to the findings with concern. She emphasised that the medical workforce is a crucial part of the NHS, but one that is currently operating under untenable conditions. Dr Patel pointed out that the GMC’s findings align closely with the recent RCP census, highlighting that doctors are increasingly overworked and undervalued.
The impact of these working conditions on patient care is significant. Many doctors are now refusing to take on additional work, a decision Dr Patel notes is not made lightly but is necessary to maintain their ability to deliver quality care. With the NHS already struggling to reduce waiting lists, this situation is unsustainable and poses a serious risk to patient care.
Urgent Need for a Retention Strategy
Following the general election, the RCP made it clear that the new UK government must prioritise staff retention alongside recruitment. Dr Patel reiterated the urgency of implementing a retention strategy for doctors, as multiple surveys have underscored the need for immediate action.
She warned that without improvements in working conditions, the NHS risks losing many of its most talented and dedicated physicians. The RCP fully supports the GMC’s recommendations to manage workloads more effectively, which is critical to supporting doctors and reducing the risk of burnout.
Government Must Act to Support the Medical Workforce
Dr Patel also stressed the importance of supporting senior doctors, especially as plans to increase medical school places are rolled out. She called for clear details on how these senior doctors will be supported in supervising and teaching the anticipated influx of undergraduate medical students and postgraduate resident doctors. The NHS, she argued, must work closely with the profession to develop clear career pathways that will help motivate and retain doctors within the health service.
In addition to training more doctors, Dr Patel urged the government to address fundamental issues affecting staff. This includes improvements in IT systems, access to affordable childcare, and increased flexible working options.
The RCP’s message to the government is clear: immediate action is needed to reduce clinical workloads to more manageable levels. This is essential not only for the well-being of the medical workforce but also to ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care. Dr Patel concluded by also emphasising that the NHS cannot afford to lose more doctors at this critical time.
