A new survey by University of Warwick researchers in the UK has identified a rise in GP intentions to leave or cut hours since 2014.

GPs reported that they felt little effect from recent initiatives by the NHS to relieve pressures on their workload, while most of them said that they were working more hours and that morale had worsened compared to two years back.

In January this year, NHS introduced Long Term Plan that may help stem the tide of low morale and early retirement

The new survey of 929 GPs conducted by the University of Warwick in the Wessex region has revealed that over 40% of GPs intend to leave general practice within the next five years, representing an increase of nearly a third since 2014.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that NHS’ initiatives are not able to address unmanageable workloads for GPs.

Warwick Medical School lead author professor Jeremy Dale said: “GP morale and job satisfaction has been deteriorating for many years, and we have known that this leading to earlier burnout with GPs retiring or leaving the profession early.

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“What this survey indicates is that this is continuing and growing despite a number of NHS measure and initiatives that had been put in place to address this over the last few years.”

The survey by University of Warwick reveals that 42.1% of GPs intend to leave or retire from NHS general practice within the next five years compared to 31.8% of those surveyed in 2014.

For 51% of GPs workload was identified as the most significant issue as they were working longer hours than in 2014.

Additionally, more pressure is put on general practice as community and social care services are being cut back or stretched.

Dale further added: “There’s a worsening crisis in general practice. The situation is bad, it is getting worse and GPs are feeling increasingly overworked and increasingly negative about the future.”