GP pay increase 'not good value for money'
28/02/2008(16:27)
GPs have seen a 60 per cent pay rise despite a report saying they are less productive by working on average seven hours per week less.
Some partners have taken salaries of over £250,000, but a study by the National Audit Office (NAO) show their hours have fallen since 1992.
It showed that the average pay packet had increased from £72,000 in 2002-03 to £113,600 in 2005-06 despite a drop in productivity of 2.5 per cent each year.
Tim Burr, head of the NAO, said: "There is no doubt that a new GP contract was needed and there are now 4,000 more GPs than five years ago. But in return for higher pay, we have yet to see real increases in productivity."
The report did show that the number of consultations had risen, but said it was not in proportion with the pay rises.
Mr Barr went on to say that the extra money has benefited the GPs rather than the patients.
Click here for medical jobs at JobServe