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GPs questioned by union over controversial extended hours

19/02/2008

Questions being put to family doctors on their future working hours have been released today by the British Medical Association (BMA).

The BMA's GPs committee is polling GPs this week on their opinion about government proposals on working hours.

Earlier this month health secretary Alan Johnson wrote to all GPs in England outlining plans for each GP's surgery to provide 30 minutes of extended opening per week for every 1,000 patients - or three hours a week for an average-sized practice.

In return the government has offered a 1.5 per cent increase in investment for primary care, which it says is worth around £12,000 of new money for an average-sized practice.

The doctors' association claims practices will lose money under the proposals and said in December that it would ask GPs about which option for working hours they would support.

This week's poll asks family doctors to choose between the two options offered and also asks for their opinion on government health policy.

Doctors' opinions on plans to introduce private providers into general practice will also be sought.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA's GP committee, said doctors are "not against providing extended hours" but explained that "GPs around the country are angry at the way the government is railroading these changes through to fulfil a political pledge that is not backed up by sound evidence".

"I'm asking GPs to consider the information that comes with the poll, to think about the impact both options would have on their surgery, their patients and general practice as a whole, and to answer accordingly," he added.