GPs hit at board's disrespectful plan

GPs in Tayside have criticised their NHS board after its workforce development plan for the area suggested GPs were paid £180 per hour for out-of-hours work.

The plan also proposed making community nurses based in localities rather than with practices.

Dr Andrew Buist, secretary of Tayside LMC, said NHS Tayside had failed to understand the last 25 years of general practice.

He added that the language of the document was 'disrespectful' to GPs.

Dr Buist said: 'The section on primary care in particular raised concerns. It was remarkably ill-informed, and the authors need to spend some time at a surgery.'

Moving community nurses 'would result in a massive loss of communication and would make GPs' jobs harder, particularly with regards to housebound patients,' Dr Buist added.

Tayside LMC has asked for feedback from local GPs with a view to making suggestions for a redraft before the plan goes back to the NHS Tayside board on 23 February.