Family doctors are losing sleep because they are so anxious that they have put patients’ safety at risk by missing a symptom or not keeping their medication up to date, said Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard. GPs have told her how they are still awake at 3am or 4am wondering if, as a result of being under constant pressure, they have made errors. “We know GPs are burning out. The GP health service was launched earlier this year and there are already more than 500 GPs on its books,” she said. “We know working in general practice is challenging, and we are also helping GPs to prioritise their mental health through a £16m programme of free confidential advice and support.”

Source: The Guardian October 08, 2017 17:44 UTC