GPs are being paid more for doing less, MPs are told

Family doctors are getting paid more for doing less as a result of the new GP contract, the House of Commons select committee on health was told last week.

Bonnie Sibbald, deputy director of the National Primary Research and Development Centre at Manchester University, said her unit had conducted a national survey of 1000 GPs that showed that on average they were now earning £15 000 a year more and were working four hours less each week.

Asked whether she thought this was justified, Professor Sibbald replied, “No.”

But she added that ongoing research, involving a panel of 45 practices, indicated …