Edinburgh Napier University

  A survey of senior hospital doctors’ intentions to retire (ITR) and intentions to scale down of work commitments in NHS Scotland.

The results of the largest and most comprehensive survey of senior hospital doctors’ retirement plans and work commitment in Scotland has now been published. This study was conducted by the University of Dundee on behalf of NHS Scotland employers, BMA Scotland, and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland.

The results show that nearly half of senior hospital doctors aged 50 or over in Scotland plan to retire early or reduce their work commitment. Doctors experiencing significant disillusionment, burnout, and lack of engagement in their jobs are seeking to withdraw from full-time work or exit the profession entirely. The survey highlights the urgent need for better retention and engagement policies for the NHS in Scotland to fulfil their longer terms ambitions to recruit and retain new generations of doctors into the profession.

Based on the findings of this far-reaching survey, all parties are keen to work together to take forward a series of actions on helping doctors remain at work and on longer term workforce planning.