So your practice partners are already working beyond capacity. One of them drops out, but attracting a new GP proves difficult. Could a practice-wide locum policy be the key to attracting the right person?
Finding the right GP for your practice has become harder than ever– just at a time when you’re more likely to need one. The GP Recruitment Office recently confirmed that GP applications in 2014 are down 15% from 2013 − stymieing the Government’s hope to attract the much needed 3,250 more GPs a year by 2015. Compounding the problem, a new study by the BMA has revealed that six out of ten GPs are considering early retirement due to ‘unsustainable workloads’ and the danger of ‘burnout’.
In 2013, the number of medical graduates actually starting a GP placement was up by an insignificant 95. This year’s fall in applications will make a huge difference to the number as, typically, a quarter of those applying will fail to make the grade and some will decide to pursue other specialties. The GPC said the drop in applications was likely to further exacerbate the current GP recruitment crisis across the UK.
In the press GPC chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul has stated: “These figures are extremely worrying when you consider the Government’s own ambition to significantly increase GP workforce to match its aspirations for delivering care outside hospitals. General Practice is not being seen as an attractive career option.”
With the right level of locum cover, you can demonstrate that you are serious about protecting your practice and your people. Stress, burnout, worry… these become less of a factor when a member of staff knows that the practice is insured and can afford good quality locum cover if faced with illness. In effect, locum insurance can be seen as a perk – an employment benefit. And it’s tax deductible.
What’s more it’s not only GPs that can be covered. Key staff – nurses, practice managers – can be included on the policy.
A tax deductible premium of as little as £1,300 a year with Practice Cover will pay out £2,500 a week (following a 4 deferment period) for up to 52 weeks. We’re underwritten by Lloyds, and unlike many insurers, we’ll cover your staff for stress*. You don’t have to spend the money we pay out on a locum either – spend it on whatever you need to keep your practice up and running efficiently.
* We’re serious about our cover, and as GPs you’ll understand that R&R isn’t a response to this potentially serious illness. This is what our locum insurance policy says: ‘Claims for psychiatric illness or mental, nervous or stress-related disorders are covered only if the insured person is receiving care and attention from a psychiatric specialist or psychiatric nurse.”
The opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author on behalf of Practice Cover Limited and they do not constitute individual advice.
