The public view of GP's six-figure wage (From Stroud News and Journal)

The public view of GP's six-figure wage

FOLLOWING the latest doctors' pay-review, the average GP now earns a near-six figure salary - a wage-hike many people see as controversial as NHS services across the county and in Stroud face the axe.

Last week it was revealed that family doctors had signed new contracts bolstering the average salary from roughly £65,000 to around £100,000.

The British Medical Association negotiated the deal with the Government.

The restructuring comes as the three PCT's holding the purse-strings for health services in Gloucestershire face debts of around £24 million.

The SNJ asked Stroud shoppers whether they thought the pay rise was justified in the light of the possible closure of Stroud Maternity Hospital.

Dr Nigel Booker, a GP at Prices Mill Surgery, Nailsworth, defended the rise.

"When you consider other professions that have trained for as long as we have many are earning more than we do," he said.

"As a group we felt our wages had fallen behind.

"The amount of training we have to go through is quite dramatic."

*** Views of Stroud shoppers:

David Stevens, a 51-year-old museum assistant from Stroud:

"Doctors do a good job and need a good wage but they are paid too much really when so much else in the NHS needs to be sorted. "The NHS is top-heavy with management. "The system is set up so doctors get paid to do different things but surely they shouldn't be paid extra for what they should be doing anyway."

Jane Brackenridge, a 46-year-old admin temp from Stonehouse:

"It's good to invest in doctors and nurses rather than admin but it may be a large pay rise in relation to other professions."

Tom Webb, a 72-year-old retired economist from Woodchester:

"There was some catching up to do as they were underpaid before. I don't think they need any more for a while now though. "Now they are generously paid and in some cases earnings are on the over-generous side."

Shane Corbett, a 34-year-old qualified bricklayer from Stroud:

"I think they are paid far too much, especially those on the high rate. And also with the way hospitals are at the moment I think more should be invested there."

Ken Gracie, 76-year-old retired health and safety officer from Rodborough:

"It's certainly a large increase but we do get an efficient service from the GP, which both my wife and I have done in the last six months. Some are worth it, some are not but my GP and surgery are definitely worth the money."

Agnes Willis, a former nurse from Stroud: "I think it's a lot of money but I do think most of them work hard for their money. "It's a long training to become a doctor and our life is in their hands literally."