The Royal College of General Practitioners in Scotland says the current model of GP partners working as independent NHS contractors may not be sustainable, as over two thirds of doctors now say they don’t want to take on the role of becoming a partner.

RCGP Scotland says, despite overwhelming support among GPs for the partnership model and the benefits it brings to patients, feedback from members shows increasing numbers of doctors are being put off by the growing risks and pressures that go with the role.

Most of Scotland’s primary care services are led by GP partners working under contract for their local NHS board to provide general medical services under the Scottish General Medical Services (GMS) Contract.

The remainder of GPs work in salaried roles and as sessional locums – or a mix of both.

Respondents to RCGP Scotland’s annual independently run GP Voice survey were strongly in favour of the partnership model with over 70% saying it allows continuity of care, allows local needs to be met, enables innovation and is cost-effective for the NHS.

Despite this, only 32% said they were likely to consider becoming a GP partner themselves in the future – with 45% saying it would be unlikely.

Half said they no longer regarded the traditional partnership model as attractive.

RCGP Scotland says the Scottish government’s GP workforce survey already shows there has been “a stark decline” in GP partners over the past decade: the number of whole‑time equivalent GP partners having fallen by 31.3% from 3,690 in 2015 to 2,532 in 2025.

RCGP Scotland Chair, Dr Chris Provan says it’s worrying that a model that has been shown to provide better patient access, improved outcomes and higher satisfaction, might not be sustainable:

“As a GP partner myself, I have seen firsthand the significant advantages of GP partnership for patients and for the wider NHS. It encourages strong fiscal discipline, and empowers practices to deliver personalised, high‑quality care for their patients. It is therefore deeply concerning that so many GPs feel unable to consider partnership as a future career path.

“Years of underfunding and neglect have left GP partners responsible for delivering increasingly complex care to a growing and ageing population, without the resources required to do so. This places enormous pressure on partners, who ultimately bear the responsibility.

“Our survey shows that workforce shortages, premises liability, and access to business and financial training are key areas that must be addressed to make partnership more attractive.”

When those reluctant to become a partner were asked in the survey what might change their mind, some suggested having access to more staff, better premises and business and financial management training would help.

Dr Chris Provan adds:

“Protecting the partnership model must start here.

“At present, the prospect of running a practice on extremely tight budgets, with limited recruitment options and responsibility for inadequate buildings, is deterring many GPs from partnership. This is reflected in the 31% fall in the number of GP partners over the last decade.

“The RCGP supports a mixed model of general practice provision, but it is vital that we protect the core strengths of partnership: autonomy, continuity of care, and innovation.

“If we value the tailored, relationship-based care that partnership delivers, we must ensure it receives the support it needs.”

 

Read more: Community Link Workers reducing stress on GPs; Doctors say walk-in GP pilot won’t work; Two thirds of doctors experiencing burnout; Half billion pound GP investment ‘largest ever’

Sign up to receive our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.