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Row breaks out over doctor hours Row breaks out over doctor hours
(about 1 hour later)
Doctors and the government are at loggerhead over getting GPs to work in the evenings and weekends. Doctors and the government are at loggerheads over getting GPs to work in the evenings and weekends.
Negotiations have been on-going since October, but are now on the point of breakdown with GPs saying ministers have put a "gun to our head". Negotiations have been going on since October, but are now on the point of breaking down with GPs saying ministers have put a "gun to our head".
Doctors say they are willing to open for longer, but the sticking point is for how long and how its should be measured. Doctors are willing to open for longer, but disagree over how long it should be for and the penalties for not doing so.
Ministers are expected to try to force through its plans in the coming weeks. Ministers have warned they will push through a tougher deal if GPs do not agree.
Gordon Brown has made extending GP hours a priority, although the government's survey of 2m patients earlier this year showed 84% were happy with opening.Gordon Brown has made extending GP hours a priority, although the government's survey of 2m patients earlier this year showed 84% were happy with opening.
We believe the government's method of negotiation is nothing short of a disgrace Dr Laurence Buckman, of the British Medical AssociationWe believe the government's method of negotiation is nothing short of a disgrace Dr Laurence Buckman, of the British Medical Association
It comes after GPs have seen their pay rocket by 30% to £110,000 a year in the first two years of their new contract which started in 2004.It comes after GPs have seen their pay rocket by 30% to £110,000 a year in the first two years of their new contract which started in 2004.
The British Medical Association, the doctors' trade union, has said it is happy to do this without any extra money, but only wants to offer two extra hours a week for every 6,000 patients.The British Medical Association, the doctors' trade union, has said it is happy to do this without any extra money, but only wants to offer two extra hours a week for every 6,000 patients.
The average GP has a list of 2,000 patients meaning doctors would only need to do an extra 40 minutes.The average GP has a list of 2,000 patients meaning doctors would only need to do an extra 40 minutes.
The government, however, wants to see three extra hours for every 6,000 patients.The government, however, wants to see three extra hours for every 6,000 patients.
Officials also said the profession has been offered £100m to do this - something the BMA has disputed.
And crucially the BMA does not want the system structured in such a way that they would lose as much funds if they did not provide the extra hours.And crucially the BMA does not want the system structured in such a way that they would lose as much funds if they did not provide the extra hours.
There is also believed to be disagreement over how the extra hours should be provided, with the government wanting it to be done in 90-minute blocks whereas doctors want to be free to decide how it is done.There is also believed to be disagreement over how the extra hours should be provided, with the government wanting it to be done in 90-minute blocks whereas doctors want to be free to decide how it is done.
Doctors now believe the government is preparing to push through the changes and will launch a consultation before Christmas. The government will now launch a tougher set of proposals on Friday demanding more than three hours extra.
Ministers can push this through without the agreement of doctors as long as they consult for 13 weeks.
'Disgrace''Disgrace'
Dr Laurence Buckman, of the BMA's GP committee, said: "We believe the government's method of negotiation is nothing short of a disgrace.Dr Laurence Buckman, of the BMA's GP committee, said: "We believe the government's method of negotiation is nothing short of a disgrace.
"They have effectively put a gun to our head and said if we don't accept their proposal they will impose a more draconian contract."They have effectively put a gun to our head and said if we don't accept their proposal they will impose a more draconian contract.
"The vast majority of our patients, and in particular those with chronic diseases or mothers with young children, prefer to come to surgeries during the day."The vast majority of our patients, and in particular those with chronic diseases or mothers with young children, prefer to come to surgeries during the day.
"They will be the ones who lose out if GPs are forced to work differently.""They will be the ones who lose out if GPs are forced to work differently."
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said suggested the BMA was putting the interests of doctors ahead of patients. Health Minister Ben Bradshaw suggested the BMA was putting the interests of doctors ahead of patients.
And he added: "The BMA's claim that patients who want to see their GP during the day will miss out is plain wrong. This proposal is about extending GPs hours not limiting them."And he added: "The BMA's claim that patients who want to see their GP during the day will miss out is plain wrong. This proposal is about extending GPs hours not limiting them."