Huge pay rise for GPs who sign up

20 Feb 03
GPs were this week expected to be offered inflation-busting pay rises in return for signing a new contract. An announcement was being made on February 21 on the new general medical services contract for GPs. While this will retain the cherished self-.

21 February 2003

GPs were this week expected to be offered inflation-busting pay rises in return for signing a new contract.

An announcement was being made on February 21 on the new general medical services contract for GPs. While this will retain the cherished self-employed status held by around 25,000 of the UK's 34,500 family doctors, it will give NHS managers greater ability to reshape the services offered.

It is believed that GP practices will be paid for providing services that have traditionally been offered in hospitals, and will lead to an increase in the number of GPs with a special interest.

Extra payments will also be made for better outcomes from a range of primary care services. In return, GPs will no longer have responsibility for the 24-hour care of their patients and will receive a three-year pay rise.

However, the British Medical Association and the NHS Confederation said reports that GPs would be given a pay rise worth up to 30% over three years were 'inaccurate'.

'The new contract is not about pay rises but an increase in resources to run general practice as a whole,' an NHS Confederation spokeswoman said.

GPs will vote on the deal next month and the government hopes to implement it this year.

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