More than half of GPs are unhappy with the amount of money the government has injected into the health service, a new survey claims.
And 62% are unhappy with the leadership coming from NHS managers, the poll for private health insurer Benenden Healthcare Society said.
Around 46% are also dissatisfied with the volume of work they have to get through, while 18% are unhappy with the salary they receive.
One in five GPs also want more say in how they operate their practices, while 24% are unhappy with the team spirit at their surgeries, and 18% are disappointed with their working environment.
Jakki Stubbington from Benenden Healthcare said: “Our research clearly suggests that GPs are exceptionally busy and are suffering from the amount of work they have to do.
“Pressure from above – a lack of funding and constant Government targets, is allied to pressure from below – greater workloads and more demanding patients.
“This means that GPs feel overworked and underappreciated, so their morale suffers.”
Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee, added: “GPs are worried about the future of general practice in this country.
“They have concerns about the negative impact current policies could ultimately have on patient care and they feel they are being attacked for achieving and surpassing government targets.
“That is why the morale of GPs is low.”
Copyright © PA Business 2007
