Lincoln GP Dr Phil Williams said many First5 GPs were becoming involved with CCGs but others were struggling with their day-to-day roles.
‘There is a real passion for getting involved and improving systems for patient care and the quality agenda,' he said.
‘But I also hear about First5 GPs going into partnership, giving up the partnership because they are burnt out, becoming a locum but then finding they cannot support their families on that level of income.
‘They really want to be partners but they are being put off by the workload and the stresses and strains.’
Dr Williams said this was one of the reasons why the First5 initiative - which supports GPs in their first five years after qualifying - was so important in providing support, networking and mentorship for newly qualified GPs.
The new chairwoman of the RCGP’s AiT committee Dr Seher Ahmad said: ‘The amount of work that GP partners are having to do for the same or less money means that partnerships are not as attractive any more.
‘When GPs are doing 90% of the work in the NHS on 9% of the budget, we have to ensure that the holistic service that is so valued by the public is maintained through the provision of extra funding and resources.'
