Doctors quit NHS for private practice

Private practice is the aim of increasing numbers of senior doctors, who say they plan to leave the NHS early.

Research by the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) found over a quarter (27.85%) of 833 respondents had made definite plans to leave the NHS, with destinations including retirement (30.26%), private practice (34.65%) and locum work (14.47%).  

Of those who had made definite plans to leave the NHS, 75.97% said they were going earlier than previously planned. 

The trade union said: ‘This figure – those with definite plans to leave the NHS, and also leaving earlier than previously planned – represents one in five of all respondents (20.65%).’