CHANGES to the way GPs operate in county surgeries is leading to a 'brain drain' of talent as newly-trained doctors flee abroad.
Dr Chris Good, a GP in Ruardean, fears for the future of patient care here.
He says sweeping Government changes could lead to another Mid Staffordshire-type scandal at primary care level, as GPs struggle to hit tough new targets.
"Targets affect the way GPs work," said Dr Good, who is an executive officer of the Gloucestershire Local Medical Committee.
"The principle behind it is good, but the changes from April 1 will lead to more work and less money for GPs. That is a recipe for making people feel extremely disheartened.
"Most doctors are enthusiastic, but they are losing faith.
"Some of the factors that came through post-Mid Staffs in the Francis Report were that it was a target-driven culture."
Dr Good said a similar culture among GPs could have catastrophic consequences, as some practices struggle to hit targets and give up caring just to survive.
A survey by south west Local Medical Committees said 67 per cent of the 2,700 who took part would struggle to remain viable, with 48 per cent considering different careers or early retirement.
"Young GPs would now rather work abroad instead," said Dr Good. "The are four practices advertising for new partners, one had just three people in a month show interest. These are practices in Cheltenham, delightful places to live. If you go back 10 years there would have been 120 people applying.
"Doctors have the freedom to take their skills anywhere in the world. English-speaking doctors are very popular abroad and are leaving here to work in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They get much better terms of employment there. We are going to have a crisis in GP manpower over the next couple of years."