Health warning

NO Government policy is enjoying a smooth passage at present, not least David Cameron’s NHS changes that face renewed scrutiny. The news that GPs could earn premium rates of up to £100 an hour to take on additional budgetary duties perpetuates the belief that health spending is being recycled rather than redirected to patients.

As even more demands are placed on taxpayers, many will be uncomfortable at the prospect of GPs earning more money than well-remunerated NHS chief executives. The rate will vary dramatically depending on the area they work in, another cause for concern.

There also remains confusion over how much of the money will go direct to the GPs, and how much will fund the costs of locum cover. These vital details need to be established quickly.

The rates are being negotiated locally and the apparent lack of guidance from Westminster will do little to allay fears that the NHS reforms have been ill-conceived.

Such lucrative hourly rates will raise concerns that shielding the NHS from cuts was a backward step, allowing significant funds to remain at the top of the organisation rather than filtering down to patients.

That the figures only came to light following an investigation by this newspaper is further indicative of the lack of clarity surrounding Mr Cameron’s reforms, even in their revised format, and why further changes are likely to be necessary.