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20/06/2003
GP pay contract 'a new era for general practice'
In what has been described “a new era for general practice”, GPs throughout the UK have today voted overwhelmingly to adopt a new NHS pay deal.
The new General Medical Services (GMS) contract was accepted by 79.4% of GPs who took part in the ballot.
Dr John Chisholm, chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee, said: "The profession has given a clear mandate for change. A large majority of general practitioners - eight out of 10 - want the new contract to be introduced.
“I believe this is the turning point for general practice and that family doctors have chosen the road which will lead them to a better working life and provide their patients with even higher quality care."
Under the terms of the new contract, the average GP could see their earnings rise to approximately £80,000 per year. They can also expect a reduction in their workload, in order to provide more time for GPs to see the sickest patients.
BMA Chairman, Dr Ian Bogle echoed Dr Chisholm’s comments, saying: "This is a significant vote in favour of the new contract.
“I regard this as very good news for the future of general practice. The BMA is committed to support implementation talks constructively to ensure that this new contract really does change the face of UK general practice for the better."
Mike Ferrar of the NHS Confederation said he was “delighted” that GPs accepted the new contract.
“It is a win-win deal for GPs and patients alike. It will reward GPs for higher quality care, improve their working lives and ensure that patients benefit from a wider range of services closer to home," he said.
“The unprecedented £1.9 billion of investment that the contract will bring represents a huge step forward for primary care in the UK”, he said.
Welcoming the outcome of the ballot, Health Minister Dr John Reid said: "I am delighted that GPs, who do a brilliant job for patients, have voted in favour of accepting their new contract.
“It is great they are willing to work with us in reforming and improving primary care in the NHS. Patients, doctors and the wider NHS will benefit from these reforms.
“This is a very positive development and a big step forward in modernising the NHS”.
However, Shadow Health Secretary, Dr Liam Fox claimed that GP morale had now hit "rock bottom".
He said: “The government has a long way to go to persuade doctors that they will be given the professional freedom necessary to make General Practice an attractive career again."
(MM)
The new General Medical Services (GMS) contract was accepted by 79.4% of GPs who took part in the ballot.
Dr John Chisholm, chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee, said: "The profession has given a clear mandate for change. A large majority of general practitioners - eight out of 10 - want the new contract to be introduced.
“I believe this is the turning point for general practice and that family doctors have chosen the road which will lead them to a better working life and provide their patients with even higher quality care."
Under the terms of the new contract, the average GP could see their earnings rise to approximately £80,000 per year. They can also expect a reduction in their workload, in order to provide more time for GPs to see the sickest patients.
BMA Chairman, Dr Ian Bogle echoed Dr Chisholm’s comments, saying: "This is a significant vote in favour of the new contract.
“I regard this as very good news for the future of general practice. The BMA is committed to support implementation talks constructively to ensure that this new contract really does change the face of UK general practice for the better."
Mike Ferrar of the NHS Confederation said he was “delighted” that GPs accepted the new contract.
“It is a win-win deal for GPs and patients alike. It will reward GPs for higher quality care, improve their working lives and ensure that patients benefit from a wider range of services closer to home," he said.
“The unprecedented £1.9 billion of investment that the contract will bring represents a huge step forward for primary care in the UK”, he said.
Welcoming the outcome of the ballot, Health Minister Dr John Reid said: "I am delighted that GPs, who do a brilliant job for patients, have voted in favour of accepting their new contract.
“It is great they are willing to work with us in reforming and improving primary care in the NHS. Patients, doctors and the wider NHS will benefit from these reforms.
“This is a very positive development and a big step forward in modernising the NHS”.
However, Shadow Health Secretary, Dr Liam Fox claimed that GP morale had now hit "rock bottom".
He said: “The government has a long way to go to persuade doctors that they will be given the professional freedom necessary to make General Practice an attractive career again."
(MM)
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