Small wonder many GPS prefer shorter hours

SIR – I am not at all surprised that many GPS are choosing to work fourday weeks (report, June 16). Given the increasing stress on the health service, contract changes and years of a pay freeze, there is no apparent incentive to spend more days working.

The result, however, is yet more stress on the service. There is no simple remedy, but the current situation is not sustainable.

Tim Cresswell Derby

SIR – Flexible working offers many benefits. It enables far more trained family doctors to remain in general practice, delivering patient care.

In addition, working four days in general practice involves far more hours than the average full-time job. Our members tell us that they regularly work 11- or 12-hour days in surgery, and that can be before all the paperwork and administrative tasks they have to complete. This is neither safe for them, nor for their patients.

GPS are working to capacity. Their workload has increased by 16 per cent over the past seven years. What the profession really needs is extra investment and thousands more GPS as a matter of urgency.

Professor Helen Stokes-lampard Chairman, Royal College of GPS London NW1

SIR – The increase in women in the GP workforce was evident well in advance, since it takes a minimum of 10 years (five at medical school, five in the NHS) to become a GP, and the trend towards part-time working is long-standing.

Given these factors, surely the blame for the shortage of GPS lies with the body responsible for workforce planning: Health Education England.

Dr Hugo Farne London WC1