Scottish GPs given 1% pay rise costing £3m

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32831227

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GPs in Scotland have been given a 1% pay increase costing a total of £3m, Scotland's health secretary has confirmed.

Shona Robison also said that general practitioners would be receiving new contracts "for 2017 and beyond".

In addition, GPs are set to share a £4.6m pot of money to help fund the running of their practices.

And a further £2.2m will go to local doctors to cope with the rising costs of population growth seen in 2014/15.

The pay increase for 2015/16 meets recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB).

Deal breakdown

Ms Robison said she was pleased to confirm the pay and funding deal for this financial year.

She explained: "We considered the recommendations made by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) very carefully when setting funding for the coming year.

"This additional investment of £9.8m is part of our commitment to continuing to support, build upon and sustain Scottish general practice. "

Ms Robison added that the government would be working with the GP profession to "look at how primary care can be delivered sustainably" in the future.

She said changes had already been made, including;

But Ms Robison said the GP contract would be re-examined for 2017 and beyond, with a view to developing a brand new contract that "meets the needs of Scotland's GPs and their patients".

"This government greatly values our GPs, who play a valuable role in delivering front line health care services which are at the heart of communities.

"It is important we continue to build on the progress we have made, to deliver the real change both patients and the profession want to see," said Ms Robison.