GPs look at ways to earn extra from NHS patients

GP LEADERS are looking at ways doctors can earn extra cash from NHS patients by offering treatments not available on the health service.

In a motion to be voted on during the local medical committees (LMCs) conference later this month, GP leaders from City and Hackney LMC have argued that because GPs are independent contractors they should be able to provide private care.

In January, the LMC for Oxfordshire also argued that NHS GPs should be able to provide private care in their surgeries. LMCs are made up of NHS GPs and represent their interests locally and nationally.

They work with the British Medical Association’s General Practitioners Committee (GPC). Under the plans, revealed by

magazine, doctors could use their own time to treat and charge patients outside their contractual arrangements with the NHS. A motion submitted by City and Hackney LMC states: “That conference insists that as independent contractors, GPs should be permitted to provide and directly charge their registered patients for treatment not available on the NHS.”

In an interview in January, Dr Prit Buttar, LMC for Oxfordshire, said a third-party company could be created to manage payments.

He said there have been discussions with LMCs across England about implementing new structures by the end of the year that will allow GPs to charge fees for carrying out non-contractual work.

“We have to look at alternative ways of increasing funding and look at models which will allow practices to operate within the rules. They will offer practice services, for example, if someone wants a minor operation but can only do this in an evening, then they can do this by charging a small fee.”