money money money

If you listened to the BBC today they were suggesting that GPs were earning around a quarter of a million pounds each! I wish! It does seem that a few GPs out of the 35000 of us do earn a vast amount but the majority do not come anywhere near this figure.

The focus on money is unfortunate given that the new contract GPs are working with is improving the health of the nation to a massive extent. The calculations show that the work we are doing will prevent 9000 heart attacks or strokes over a five year period. For me the prevention of just one heart attack is enough but to prevent 9000 is fantastic.

For GPs to do this work takes time, effort and the use of many staff in our practices. Most GPs are working flat out to help our patients. We all try and improve the health of our patients and to be told by the press that we are ‘fat cats’ or ‘not worth the money’ or ‘not needed’ can be very hurtful but we will carry on treating our patients to the best of our ability and hope our patients appreciate this!