Health Story

22 November 2008 19:45 BST

GPs express anger at government's negotiations

The vast majority of GPs are angry at the way the government has negotiated changes to their working hours, a poll has revealed today.

Over 27,000 family doctors surveyed by the British Medical Association (BMA) were asked to vote on two alternatives on their hours presented to them by the government.

Ninety-two per cent chose option A, which is the plan put to doctors by the government in December.

The BMA claims this option will cost the average practice of three GPs £18,000 in resources, while under Option B they would lose £36,000.

The poll uncovered widespread dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the negotiations.

In February health secretary Alan Johnson wrote to all GPs in England, urging them to support extended hours.

The government wants greater access to GPs, including evening and weekend appointments.

Although GPs have expressed their support for greater access, the BMA described the options presented to them as "unsatisfactory".

Today's poll reveals that 98 per cent of GPs believed the government's method of negotiation was unacceptable and 97 per cent said they have no confidence in the government's handling of the NHS.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA's GP committee, said the survey shows the government "has a long way to go" to improve relations between politicians and doctors.

"The government must take heed of the strength of feeling shown in this poll," he added.

"It cannot be good to have such a key part of the health workforce feeling disengaged from the way the government is handling the health service.

"We want the NHS to work properly as much as everyone else, we want patients to be happy with the service they get from GPs, but it will only work if GPs feel they can trust the government not to bully and micromanage them all the time."

The BMA said that it will now work towards the practical implementation of the extended hours.