Better pay deal means doctors stay with NHS

THE number of UK doctors applying to work in the island has dropped since the introduction of a better NHS pay deal. Under the terms of a new GP contract, introduced last year, doctors' wages are now calculated on a points system with high performers receiving the best pay.

'If you perform at a good level, you substantially increase the amount of money you earn,' said British Medical Association local press spokesman Dr Brian Parkin.

'This has inevitably had an effect on recruitment here. We're already seeing the number of high-quality applicants decline because the UK system is so attractive.'

The scheme, which assesses doctors on criteria such as clinical care, patient experience and appointment times, no longer requires doctors to work out of hours.

Since its introduction, GPs in the UK have exceeded expectations. Figures released last week show that on average, practices achieved 91% of the available points.

'The GP contract is very competitive ' we need to offer a package which is equally attractive,' said Dr Parkin.

'The general working conditions over here are very good. What needs to be addressed is pay, out-of-hours work and pension provision.'

One way of financing such a project would be to raise consultation fees, which are set in agreement with the States, but Dr Parkin did not think this was fair.

'We would not want to impact unreasonably on the poorer people in Guernsey,' he said.

The BMA has been well aware of the issues for some time. Two years ago an independent review body, made up of experts from the UK, discussed the problem.

'We were hoping that they would address the issue of the pending GP contract, but in their report they said that they couldn't predict what the consequences of it would be,' said Dr Parkin.

He said that the impact of the new NHS deal was not apparent in Guernsey yet, but could be in years to come.

Local GPs are not employed by the States ' they work in private practice.

The BMA executive now intends to meet the Health Department to discuss the issue.

Deputy Health minister David Grut said the department was aware of the new deal for NHS doctors but hoped it would not impact on the quality of the local health service.

He said that the attractions of Guernsey as a place to live could still outweigh what the NHS could offer.

'We have a good primary care system and wouldn't want that excellent standard to reduce,' said Deputy Grut.

'If the situation did become critical, we would discuss a way forward but we don't see that the problem is imminent or that there is a problem at all.'