Doctored figures

Referring to the article in the Scotsman (7 March) concerning GP salaries and working hours, it may be helpful to the general public to be aware of the working hours and associated remuneration for a GP. Most GPS are able to work eight sessions per week which equates to four days at 10 hrs per day or 40 hrs per week. Outwith these hours, NHS 24 steps in and handles callouts, after 6pm and at weekends. Additional payments are made to GPS for carrying out preventative programmes such as winter flu vaccine, blood pressure screening etc. All this can add up to an annual salary of anything between £100,000 and £150,00 per annum for a 40 hr, four-day week or £125 to £175 per 5 hr session. Most of the general population would be more than happy to settle for half of that.

There is then the argument that training to be a GP can take up to ten years. At least five of these years are reasonably paid and there is the obvious pot of gold at the end of the ten years which tends to make the slog worthwhile. I can think of many professions – architects, engineers etc – where the training is as long, if not longer, with the outcome probably about half the salary of a GP for at least 50 per cent more hours. I have nothing but respect for the work undertaken by the GP profession, but the public need to be aware that they are handsomely remunerated for the hours worked.

DOUGLAS JOHNSTON Drumbrae Place, Edinburgh