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Doctors leaders' hours climbdown Doctors leaders' hours climbdown
(10 minutes later)
Doctors leaders have backed down in a dispute with the government over extending GPs opening hours.Doctors leaders have backed down in a dispute with the government over extending GPs opening hours.
The British Medical Association has said the contract on offer is "less damaging" than an alternative the government had threatened to impose.The British Medical Association has said the contract on offer is "less damaging" than an alternative the government had threatened to impose.
The BMA is still set to poll England's GPs on the offer later this month.The BMA is still set to poll England's GPs on the offer later this month.
Changes to GPs' opening hours will come into force from April, and could mean an average sized practice opening an extra three hours per week.Changes to GPs' opening hours will come into force from April, and could mean an average sized practice opening an extra three hours per week.
Ministers want more surgeries open at weekends and in the evenings.Ministers want more surgeries open at weekends and in the evenings.
'A good deal''A good deal'
The BMA had previously said GPs felt "bullied" by the government, but had not taken a position on the options available.
However. at a meeting of its GPs' committee on Thursday, doctors backed a plan which would make money directly available to surgeries to fund extra opening hours.
The alternative, which the government said it would impose if no agreement was reached, would have allowed primary care trusts to commission GP services from other providers - and take thousands of pounds away from practice budgets.
The BMA says it has opted for the "lesser of two evils".The BMA says it has opted for the "lesser of two evils".
The option it has backed will make money directly available to surgeries to fund extra opening hours. It is set to poll GPs in England this month to find out how they feel about the contract.
The alternative, would allow primary care trusts to commission GP services from other providers - and take thousands of pounds away from practice budgets.
The BMA will poll GPs in England this month to find out how they feel about the contract.
But a survey by GP magazine this week found two thirds of the 350 doctors surveyed would turn down the plan.But a survey by GP magazine this week found two thirds of the 350 doctors surveyed would turn down the plan.
A quarter of those rejecting the deal said that some form of industrial action was needed, while some called for GPs to threaten to resign from NHS work, or withdraw some services.A quarter of those rejecting the deal said that some form of industrial action was needed, while some called for GPs to threaten to resign from NHS work, or withdraw some services.
The Department of Health has said that more than 6m patients were unhappy with their surgery opening hours.The Department of Health has said that more than 6m patients were unhappy with their surgery opening hours.
A spokeswoman said: "This is a good deal for patients.A spokeswoman said: "This is a good deal for patients.
"We are pleased the GPC are now backing our proposals and urging GPs to support them.""We are pleased the GPC are now backing our proposals and urging GPs to support them."
Health secretary Alan Johnson wrote to every GP in England earlier this week urging them to accept the government's plans.Health secretary Alan Johnson wrote to every GP in England earlier this week urging them to accept the government's plans.