GPs quit as barrage of abuse rises

THERE has been an “extraordinary” increase in abuse aimed at GP teams, which is contributing to family doctors leaving the profession, one of England’s leading medics has suggested.

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Dr Claire Fuller, primary care medical director for NHS England, said it is not acceptable to “bash” GPs, who are “exhausted” and working “flat out”.

She also said collective action by family doctors – which has been ongoing since August – has been like “holding up a mirror”, with hopes that the health service will learn from the changes it has triggered.

Dr Fuller said: “When you talk to GPs about why they leave, they say one is about the workload and the other one is about respect.”