OVER 100 healthcare professionals attended an Essex Primary Care conference following a GP survey which revealed that 39 per cent are expected to leave direct patient care within the next five years.

The survey also found that 90 per cent of those questioned were experiencing considerable or high-pressure due to increasing workloads.

The Essex Primary Care conference - held on Thursday 8 November 2018 at Boreham House, Chelmsford - invited healthcare professionals to discuss new and emerging roles and practices to boost GP retention and recruitment as well as how to relieve the strain on practices.

On the day, attendees heard from influential speakers and experts from across the sector about local and national primary care strategies as well as from Essex Primary Care Careers which are looking at innovative ways to recruit staff and support primary care practices across the county.

Maria Reid, Business Lead at Essex Primary Care Careers, said: “The conference showcased a change in attitude towards the pressures facing GP practices across the county and earmarked solutions that help us transform workforce to achieve long-term sustainability and improve patient care.

“Practices are under unprecedented staffing pressures and we need to continue to source innovative and aspiring ways to attract new healthcare talent to Essex.”

Tricia D’Orsi, Conference Chair, Chief Nurse and Primary Care Workforce Lead for the Mid and South Essex STP, said: “The powerful speakers at the conference were a real inspiration, showing us that together we can achieve great things in GP services moving forward.”

Conference speaker, CEO Essex LMCs, Clinical Lead for Primary Care Strategy Mid & South Essex STP, CEO Essex EQUIP, Dr Brian Balmer said: “It was great to see such a wide range of primary care clinicians and managers at the event. There is a genuine feeling that we are all working towards a shared goal of developing and improving primary care careers in Essex.”