Gender pay gap in general practice: be careful what you wish for

I am concerned about the inference of The BMJ’s article about the gender pay gap in general practice.1 I have been a GP partner for 28 years. We have always recommended and encouraged doctors to join us in a partnership role, including in presentations at the vocational training scheme. But as evidence shows, very few newly qualified GPs want the additional responsibilities and perceived risks. The recent GMC survey showed that new GPs are hoping to do part time work in general practice and very few want to work full time.

I have been desperate to reduce my workload, and we have been offering golden hellos of £10 000 (€12 000; $13 000) and increased sessional profits to incoming doctors for the past three years. They all, however, initially chose to be salaried to give themselves flexibility and guaranteed earnings (while still receiving the golden hello).

This article feels like another encouragement for us older male GPs to take our pensions and enjoy a long and well deserved retirement rather than to support the new GP workforce. At the very least it makes me feel naive for remaining full time for the sake of patients and the practice. We deserve greater recognition and appreciation than your article suggests. After five years of struggle and exhaustion I am to start part time work on 1 April, so will be reducing the gender pay gap.

Be careful what you wish for: it may have unintended consequences.