ALMOST a third of GPs are planning to retire in the next five years, according to a survey which has heightened fears of a ballooning recruitment crisis.

A poll of more than 1800 family doctors in Scotland found 32per cent want to step down by 2020, and a further 14per cent would like to move to part-time working.

With some surgeries already struggling to fill vacancies and a shortage of young medics wanting to train in general practice, there are repeated warnings that Scotland is facing a severe GP shortage.

Official figures show there are dozens more GPs in their 50s than in their 30s in Scotland and the BMA believes community doctors want to leave their jobs because of the pressure they are under.

A quarter of Scottish GPs who responded to the British Medical Association questionnaire described their workload as unmanageable.

Dr Andrew Buist, deputy chair of the BMA's Scottish GP committee, said: "General practice appears to be on the brink of a workforce crisis. The prospect of the relentless and rising workload along with the frustrations of bureaucracy is driving doctors out of the profession and putting young doctors off entering general practice.

"However, more than 50per cent of GPs in Scotland would recommend a career in general practice so we know that many people still see it as a thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable job, but the pressures of the day to day job are dampening that enthusiasm and leading to a burnout within the profession.

"General practice is already woefully short staffed and unless urgent action is taken to improve recruitment and retention of GPs, patient care will be compromised and the Government's flagship integration reforms will likely fail."

Just under 70per cent of GPs in Scotland who answered the BMA questionnaire felt their workload had a negative impact on their personal commitment to their career. More respondents in Scotland cited not having enough time to spend with patients as a factor affecting their job satisfaction, than anywhere else in the UK. However, Scottish GPs were significantly less likely to describe their workload as unmanageable compared to GPs elsewhere. Just under 40per cent of the 4918 GPs working in Scotland responded to the survey.

Another recent survey found one in five community practices in Scotland has a vacancy for one doctor. In the central belt the health board has already had to take over the running of a surgery which collapsed when a partner left and their post could not be filled. Other practices are also struggling to recruit.

Dr Elaine McNaughton, deputy chair (Policy) of Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland, said it was clear not all the training places for general practice available this year will be filled.

She said: "Clearly, the spiralling workload and the current working conditions in primary care are contributing to earlier retirement among GPs and discouraging recruitment...

"We must see a commitment from Scottish Government to counter the recruitment crisis through promoting general practice as the rewarding and attractive career it will be if the current pressures are addressed. They should enhance their support to encourage a return to general practice for those who have taken a career break."

Health Secretary Shona Robison said investment in primary care has seen the number of GPs increase by 6.9 per cent.

Ms Robison also said: "Early retirement is a life-choice based on financial and other personal circumstances for the individual concerned. It should be remembered that a number of GPs who take early retirement also choose to come back and do locum work part time so are not necessarily completely lost to general practice...

"We are determined to continue supporting and sustaining Scottish general practice. Under this government spending on GP services has increased by £69.7m or 10 per cent."