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LMCs to protest over DoH 'hypocrisy' on extended hours
13-May-08
LMC representatives are set to protest to the government that it is riding roughshod over its own family-friendly working policies by requiring GPs to work extended hours.
Nottingham LMC has accused the government of ignoring the needs of GPs' families.
The extended hours requirement ‘gives the lie to any suggestion that they are committed to achieving family-friendly working conditions for all who work in the NHS,' the LMC says in a motion to next month's annual LMCs conference in central London.
A recent survey showed that Nottinghamshire GPs are likely to foil the government's attempts to make them work at weekends.
Only 17.5 per cent of GPs in Nottingham City PCT are willing to work Saturdays. Thirty-six per cent of GPs in Nottinghamshire County PCT would work weekends.
‘The vast majority of the practices who responded to our survey are saying no to Saturday mornings. From the family friendly point of view they are reluctant to give up their hard won weekends,' said Nottinghamshire LMC's chief executive Chris Locke.
‘The demographics of the profession have changed, so there are many more women. It's unrealistic to expect women to work extended hours, especially when it's uneconomic to do so and when it means giving up your weekend.
‘It's a difficult balance between consumerism and being family-friendly and the government wants to have it both ways.'
prisca.middlemiss@haymarket.com
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Comments
john Priestman
13/05/2008
Not only are doctors unhappy about working extended hours, but GP receptionists are very reluctant to work outside normal hours. Receptionists are usually female with families of their own and want a life outside the surgery!
Daniel Franks
14/05/2008
It is not just women who are affected by this. I have a young family at home too and don't see them during the week are they are in bed by the time I get home. I have no intention of sacrificing my precious and already restricted family time in order to satisfy a ridiculous non-need for extended hours. This whole idea sets a dangerous precedent and I hope GPs around the country don't "think with their wallets" on this issue. By doing the extended hours, a GP is validating the government's unacceptable negotiating tactics and this will begin to hurt over the next few years, believe me...
Caroline Downes
15/05/2008
Can I speak up for those of us who do not have children but DO have a life outside of work.
I am a GP receptionist with no children but I enjoy things outside of the surgery and do not want my free time taken away by the imposition of weekend working. There is much inthe media about too much stress caused by longer working hours and constant accessibility via email and Blackberry. I made a choice to reduce my salary in order to allow me more fre time to enjoy my life and reduce my stress. I do not want this taken away by anyone!
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