A survey published by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has found that up to a third of Britain’s general practitioners (GPs) are ready to leave their profession amid rising insurance premiums.
More than 40% of about 900 GPs surveyed, meanwhile, would consider quitting if premiums keep rising at the annual rate of 10% on average. The British Medical Association revealed that these family doctors’ compensation has dropped by 11% in real terms since 2008.
A Daily Mail report said some GPs face up to a 50% increase in their personal insurance premiums, with those considering leaving looking at early retirement or a career change.
The report noted that GPs, who are bound by law to pay their own premiums, are allocating about a fifth of their pre-tax income on negligence insurance.
“Last year I was paying a premium of £5,400 for four sessions a week. Now I'm going to be paying £5,800 for only three,” Shaba Nabi, a GP from Bristol, was quoted as saying.
Nabi reportedly took on work training younger doctors as that does not require insurance. “I’m having to do less clinical work and more management in order to provide for my kids,” she said.
Meanwhile, MDU chief executive Dr Christine Tomkins described the spiralling cost of indemnity as the “final straw” for some GPs.
“Primary care services are struggling to cope with an overwhelming workload, a shortage of GPs, and limited funding,” she commented.
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