Why experienced GPs are leaving the NHS, spiralling GP workload, collective action

Why experienced GPs are leaving the NHS, spiralling GP workload, collective action

From Talking General Practice by GPonline.com

April 17, 2026 · 28 min · Season 6 · Episode 34

About this episode

The episode discusses the reasons behind experienced GPs leaving the NHS and the implications of new GP contracts on workload.

This week Nick and Emma discuss GP retention and look at the reasons why experienced doctors are leaving the role and what the NHS needs to do to ensure more GPs remain in the job for longer. They talk about how the expanded use of online consultations has impacted on GP workload and fears about what this year’s GP contract – which introduces new same-day access targets and changes to GP referrals – and the push towards neighbourhoods could mean for practice workload. And they discuss the latest on this year’s GP contract, including what we know about the practice-level reimbursement scheme for GPs and possible collective action by GPs. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Advice and guidance 'ping-pong' fuelling the GP retention crisis Viewpoint: Why experienced GPs are leaving the NHS and how we can keep them GP workforce at 10-year high, government claims GPs working 20 hours a day to clear avalanche of online requests Steep rise in online consultations over past year, latest data show Preparations underway for return to GP collective action Practice-level GP reimbursement scheme…

People in this episode

Hosts: Emma Bower, Nick Bostock

Topics covered

  • GP retention
  • NHS
  • GP workload
  • online consultations
  • GP contract
  • collective action

Keywords

  • GP retention
  • NHS
  • workload
  • online consultations
  • GP contract
  • collective action

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NHS, GPonline, Czarina Deen

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