Medical women: internet resource
July 2006
General practitioners
The Flexible Career Scheme (FCS), which was developed by the Department of Health (DH), allows doctors to work flexibly within general practice, and is part of the Improving Working Lives initiative. It is aimed at, among others, GPs who work less than 50 per cent of the time, and allows working hours to fit around the GP’s circumstances. The scheme has proved to be successful, and uptake has been good, particularly in London. Unfortunately, funding for the FCS was initially limited to only three years and thus after 2006/07 no new applications will be accepted. Funding has also now been cut for the GP Returners Scheme which, in conjunction with other recruitment initiatives, offered incentives to those returning to work in the NHS after a break of two years or more. More information and guidance can be found on the DH website .
The BMA welcomes inititives which enable flexible working and support doctors returning from a career break, for example after having children and is extremely concerned that funding for these projects is being discontinued.
There are a growing number of salaried GPs, particularly with the new GP contract, and a large number of these are women. The minimum terms and conditions for salaried GPs employed by a primary care organisation (PCO) or general medical service (GMS) include minimum pay and very good maternity provision. Maternity pay is, however, covered by the practice, and this may dissuade practices from taking on female GPs.
The BMA is currently attempting to persuade the DH to cover these costs. More information about terms and conditions for salaried GPs can be found on the BMA website (see reference 27). There is some concern that employed GPs have less opportunity to reach a higher salary than partners, and that they have less career progression opportunities (see reference 28).