Problems with regard to the recruitment and retention of general practitioners (GPs) have been largely attributed to disquiet over ongoing government health reforms, together with increased administrative and surgery workloads, low morale and stress. This study aimed to provide empirical evidence of the scale of the workforce crisis in GP recruitment and retention, and the type of initiatives being developed to address local problems. Postal questionnaires were sent to directors of primary care in all 100 health authorities in England, and to directors of postgraduate GP education. Problems associated with recruitment and retention were mainly confined to less attractive locations, primarily deprived urban areas. Sources of new recruits mainly consisted of local training schemes. Numerous initiatives had been set up to address local problems, but these tended to be piecemeal and small scale. Although there was widespread awareness of problems with regard to the recruitment and retention of GPs, there was little evidence of co-ordinated approaches to offset future problems.