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Commissioning GPs are ‘being paid twice’

Commissioning GPs are ‘being paid twice’
5 January 2012



GPs are being paid twice to cover their commissioning workload regardless of whether or not locum support is required under the government's health reform.

Freedom of Information requests to 54 PCTs in England by the Labour Party found huge variations in the hourly rates being paid to commissioning GPs.

Rates range from £48 per hour in County Durham to £115 per hour in Hertfordshire.


GPs are being paid twice to cover their commissioning workload regardless of whether or not locum support is required under the government's health reform.

Freedom of Information requests to 54 PCTs in England by the Labour Party found huge variations in the hourly rates being paid to commissioning GPs.

Rates range from £48 per hour in County Durham to £115 per hour in Hertfordshire.

GPs are being paid twice to cover their commissioning workload regardless of whether or not locum support is required under the government's health reform.

Freedom of Information requests to 54 PCTs in England by the Labour Party found huge variations in the hourly rates being paid to commissioning GPs.

Rates range from £48 per hour in County Durham to £115 per hour in Hertfordshire.

The figures also show while Wiltshire GPs are paid £26,000 per year to cover their commissioning duties, CCG Chairs in Coventry are paid £35,000 each.

GPs will also be paid "additional sums" to attend commissioning board meetings regardless of whether locum cover is required, the Labour Party's investigation found.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham warned the "hidden cost" of locum cover could run into tens of thousands of pounds for each commissioning GP involved.

"The Government are putting GPs in a difficult situation with their plans. It makes no sense at all to take GPs away from patient care to become part-time accountants," said Burnham.

"Patients and taxpayers lose hands down as the NHS foots the bill twice."

Should commissioning GPs be paid twice to cover their extra workload?  Your comments (terms and conditions apply):

"Are we still adopting Bevan's "we will stuff their mouths with money" – certainly sounds like it!!!!" – Sue, UK

"GPs should NOT get paid twice to cover the extra workload of commissioning board duties, they are paid for commissioning anyway and where's the money coming from in this economic climate? Staff in Trusts are losing their jobs or being downgraded and morale is rock bottom already. GPs will be
given too much licence already – stop the bill now" – Jayne Heaney, Whiston Hospital

"No. As an older person who only recently realised that GPs were not only very well paid but able to supplement their finances in numerous ways, I find this outrageous. The NHS should be patient focused with taxpayers' money directed towards optimal patient care, not increasing the already high remuneration of GPs" – John Yates, York

"Absolutely not" – Sue Hart, South Yorkshire

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