Do GPs deserve their pay rise?

Editor—Many people (non-general practitioners) must surely be asking, “So, how much do GPs earn?” when considering whether general practitioners deserve their recent pay rise.¹

The answer is quite a lot. Full time general practitioner principals in well organised practices would be disappointed to earn less than £100 000 a year for 2004-5. The range can be considerable, given the differing circumstances in which doctors work; for full time principals it is £80 000-£120 000. For 2006-7 the quality points will be worth on average (depending on practice size) £120 per point, compared with £70 this year.

Don't forget, general practitioners have dropped the 24 hour responsibility and so are now working something in the region of a 45-55 hour week.