No sickness or maternity pay for GPs

Two PCTs are set to halt all sickness and maternity payments to GPs in order to cut their deficits.

North Hampshire PCT and Blackwater Valley and Hart PCT have proposed cutting payments from 100 per cent to zero in all but the most 'exceptional' cases.

GPs have branded the move 'a disgrace'. Dr Stephen Linton, a GP in Farnborough, said: 'It would be discriminatory to women GPs and incomprehensible given the Government has just increased maternity pay.'

Dr Nigel Watson, chief executive of Wessex LMCs, predicted the problem would spread across the UK. He said: 'As long as PCTs have discretion, only a few who are in financial balance will be minded to pay it.'