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GPs urged to work more flexible hoursDate: 12/09/2007 09:33:35
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With many people working a nine-to-five and unable to book appointments early enough or fit one in, GPs have been urged by the government and by opposition parties to integrate more flexible timetables.
With GP pay now rising in excess of £100,000 per year people are demanding higher availability of their local doctors, many of whom opt out of evening and weekend work, leaving patients in the hands of struggling Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
As many as 90 per cent of doctors have opted out of flexible weekend and evening hours since contractual changes allowed them to do so in 2004, with fierce criticism emanating from Lib Dem research into PCT shortcomings.
Statistics from 92 PCTs showed more than 25 per cent fall below standards of consultation punctuality, with 23 per cent struggling to meet deadlines of communicating information to day-time GPs.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson responded by encouraging GPs to break away from a nine-to-five attitude and adopt more flexible working hours to give patients the service they need.
"Many GPs practices are addressing that and opening on a Saturday morning. We want to see that more widespread," said Mr Johnson on Radio Four's Today programme.
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