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We head to Cumbria to find out why it's so hard to get a GP appointment, ask doctors why they are leaving the service and question the health secretary on how to stem the exodus. And Denise Robertson investigates whether loneliness in old age is on the increase.

29 minutes

Last on

Mon 2 Mar 2015 19:30

GP shortages

GP shortages

Have you ever struggled to get a GP appointment?

麻豆官网首页入口 Inside Out has uncovered a national shortage of GPs, doctors deserting the profession and junior doctors avoiding what they see as an "unglamorous" career.

All these have culminated in the number of unfilled GP posts quadrupling in the past three years, which may help explain why your surgery's phone number is often engaged.

Why disillusioned GPs are quitting

Why disillusioned GPs are quitting

麻豆官网首页入口 Inside Out discovers why some GPs are leaving the service early and finds out what is troubling them about GP practice.

Some GP surgeries have been struggling to cope with increasing patient numbers, growing workloads and difficulties in recruiting new doctors.

GPs survey

GPs survey

An exclusive 麻豆官网首页入口 Inside Out ComRes survey of 1,004 GPs across the UK found that 56% of doctors expect to retire or leave general practice before the age of 60.聽

Why GPs think medical students are shunning the profession

Why GPs think medical students are shunning the profession

The GP shortage is being exacerbated by the declining number of students going into GP practice as a speciality.

In 2013, only 20% of medical students chose to work in general practice on completion of their foundation training despite a national target of 50% by 2016.聽

Cumbria's out-of-hours doctor service

Cumbria's out-of-hours doctor service

麻豆官网首页入口 Inside Out follows the work of Cumbria Health On Call (CHOC), Cumbria's out-of-hours doctor service.

The CHOC services are increasingly busy because people cannot get regular appointments at their local GP surgeries.

Michelle Ackerley reports on the growing pressure on GP surgeries and out-of-hours health services.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Chris Jackson
Reporter Denise Robertson
Editor Jacqui Hodgson

Broadcast