GPs suffered a small overall loss of income last year, according to figures published yesterday. The main loss was suffered by doctors working on salaries or under the primary medical services contract, according to the NHS Digital figures. GP leaders said they represented a continued “squeeze” on GP earnings. GPs under the standard general medical…

The NHS has turned to Europe for an immediate infusion of GPs as new figures give a conflicting picture of recruitment of doctors to work in practices. Annual figures, reported by NHS Digital, showed a steep decline in GP numbers over the last year. But in the three months between April and June, practices succeeded…

The NHS is considering a deal with specialist private companies to create an expansion of new primary care health centres – at the price of an increase in practice rentals, it was reported today. The three companies already own 850 medical centres – and say that between them they could build 750 more. Under the…

GPs in England may be set to vote to close their lists in protest at the pressures on their services, according to a survey. A British Medical Association poll of GPs is due to end on Thursday after doctors voted earlier this year to consider taking the action. A preliminary survey by a GP magazine…

Practices in much of England could be hit by a “secret” programme of cuts, it was alleged today. The plans for dramatic cuts in NHS spending in much of England are shrouded in secrecy, the British Medical Association said. 13 areas of England have been ordered to achieve a half a billion reduction in spending…

Dozens of practices in Wales are at risk, according to a new analysis by the British Medical Association. Over two years five practices have closed and 18 have handed back their contracts. But a further 29 have sought funding help from health boards – and another 29 are planning to do so, the BMA found.…

A £16 million rescue fund for general practice is failing to find its way to surgeries, it was claimed yesterday. Just 16 out of 40 local medical committees stated that money had found its way to the front-line in a survey by the British Medical Association. Some £40 million has been allocated to the resilience…