Practices forced to axe staff due to funding
Released 23/01/2012
As many as one in five GP practices are being forced to sack receptionists, nurses and even salaried GPs as a result of the funding squeeze on primary care, a survey reveals
Of the 250 practices that responded to the survey, one in 10 said they would have to make at least one position redundant
As many as one in five GP practices may be forced to lay off staff this year, with around a third of them having to remove a salaried GP post, a workforce study has revealed.
The survey, conducted by Pulse to determine issues in practice workforces, revealed that one in seven GP practices are preparing to make reception or administration staff redundant due to funding issues.
Of the 250 practices that responded to the survey, one in 10 said they would have to make at least one position redundant.
Others said they would also lose practice nurses, practice managers, specialist business managers and healthcare assistants.
Furthermore, the financial constrains impacting practices will likely result in GPs having to accept a sixth pay squeeze in seven years.
Of the two-thirds of practices that stated that they employed a salaried GP, one in 10 stated that they thought they would have to make at least one position redundant.
The body representing medical accountants warned Personal Medical Services practices were being especially hard, with some forced to shed salaried GP posts to cover shortfalls in funding as a result of contract reviews.
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