GPs voted by four to one last week to accept a new contract that will bring to an end the current “red book” system of payment and 24 hour responsibility for patients—elements that have determined GPs' working practices for the past 50 years.

Negotiators hope that the new deal, which will see GPs' annual income rise by 26% over the next three years from an average of £65 000 ($108 000; €94 000) to £82 000, will lift morale in general practice and drive up recruitment.

Dr John Chisholm, chairman of the General Practitioners Committee, said on announcing the result of the …