11 April 2003
Hopes have been raised for a resolution of the dispute over the proposed GP contract after a deal guaranteeing minimum incomes was struck this week.
A ballot of the UK's family doctors was postponed last month after it emerged that up to half of the country's 11,000 GP practices could lose funds under the initial deal. With feelings running high and a 'no' vote expected, the British Medical Association and the NHS Confederation, which is leading negotiations on behalf of the government, have agreed a compromise that they hope will win over wavering doctors.
Under the new formula, GP practices will benefit from a Minimum Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG), ensuring no doctor loses out in the deal. If the new contract is accepted in the ballot, which will not now be held until late May at the earliest, the income guarantee will come into effect in April 2004, along with the 8% –11% funding increase already promised. Practices will continue to receive it for as long as they would lose out under the new contract.
It is understood that the health secretaries in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have signed up to the income guarantee. The money to fund it will come from £500m set aside to finance the transition to the new contract between 2004 and 2006. Ministers have given the BMA a written assurance that the guarantee will continue to be funded if needed beyond March 2006.
The BMA has called a special conference of GPs' local medical committees for May 14 to discuss the proposed contract and the income guarantee. The ballot will be held after this meeting.
The confederation confirmed that information about the proposals would be sent to GPs shortly. 'We have a lot of faith in the new formula and the MPIG,' a spokeswoman added.
BMA GPs' leader Dr John Chisholm said family doctors would now be assured of being better off under the proposed contract than under their current deal. 'One thing we can reassure GPs about is that under MPIG none will lose and all will win,' he added.
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