Top
Twitter
This list does not yet contain any items.
NHS Evidence
Navigation
Clinical Stuff
Reviews
EBM
  • What is a salaried GP? 
    • Status is that of employee but clinically anonymous
    • Contract of employment
    • Usually a fixed salary
    • Subject to EU working directives
    • Entitled to statutory employment rights
  • Salaried GP Contracts 
    • Need to know what sort of practice you will be working for
    • GMS - BMA model contract (or better)
    • PCTMS - BMA model contract (or better)
    • PMS - not obliged to offer BMA model contract, may well be offered local practice alternative
    • APMS - also not obliged to offer BMA, even more likely to be offered local alternative
  • Do's and Dont's 
    • Before starting, ask for employment contract, job description, job plan and practice staff policies ( BMA website has models of job plans and contracts on their website for members -very useful)
    • Do not start work without clarifying main terms of employment, hours and pay at least verbally
    • If contract not available before you start, ask for letter confirming details of main terms, etc OR write to practice stating your understanding, so onus on them to correct if wrong
    • Legally they must provide written statement of main terms within 8 weeks
    • Be wary of anything described as a fixed term contract - termination of such a contract may breach employment law, especially if renewed on exactly the same terms
    • If offered a salaried post with a view to partnership do not rely on offer being made good if subject to 'mutual satisfaction' - the practice can withdraw offer if it no longer suits
  • Things not covered in BMA model contract (but important to clarify) 
    • Whether full time is 8 or 9 sessions ( BMA contract does not define a session)
    • What are arrangements (renumeration?) for daytime on call (no mention in BMA contract)
    • Will practice help with cost of MDU / MPS subscriptions?
    • Will practice keep or share private fees?
    • Will practice allow full amount of CPD time provided for in BMA Contract or will they offer to "buy" part of this off you?
  • Salaried GPs Pay 
    • If offered BMA contract your pay will be within broad range recommended by DDRB but exact amount may depend on market forces ( not exactly in trainees favour right now), special skills of value to practice, whether you are asked to take share of management responsibility
    • As a newly qualified, you are likely to be offered the lower end of salary scale
    • The current DDRB recommended range for GPs salaried employment (2009-2010) is £53,249 - £80,354
    • If not on BMA model contract, your pay is more open to negotiation but in 'buyers market' pay and conditions may be poor by comparison with others - try to find out what the 'going rate' is locally and don't undersell yourself
  • Disadvantages of working for a private provider 
    • No NHS pension ( unless the company is run by GPs) - you will be offered private alternative, non transferable to NHS
    • Annual pay rise not automatic
    • Entitlement to CPD not automatic
    • May only be offered statutory redundancy, sick pay, maternity pay - not NHS terms
  • Forms of exploitation 
    • Non reciprocal clauses in contract
    • Unilateral changes of working hours and other terms & conditions
    • Being required to undertake extra work for no extra pay
    • Being required to undertake disproportionately more work than non-salaried colleagues