Choose and Puke

The thumbsrews are on for GPs as the government tries to wring even more work from the new GMS Contract.

 For a sub-inflationary rise of 1.5%, GPs will be expected to open their doors well into the evening or on Saturday morning.  The police (but not in Scotland) are taking the government to court over their refusal to backdate their pay agreement- a 1.9% uplift as opposed to the recommended 2.5%.

The reason for the anger being felt by the profession isn’t the extra hours. In fact in the last 2 BMA GP conferences, motions supporting extended opening hours have been passed. The reason that the GPs’ hackles are up is because the government is imposing this ‘deal’ upon the profession. They have refused to negotiate with the BMA and have presented this deal with 1.5% uplift. If the GPs refuse, then they will railroad through extended hours anyway through local schemes but without the uplift in funds and a loss of income of £6k for every GP.

So the choice is (a) a slap in the face or (b) a kick up the keks.