GP pay increase

27th April 2013

General practitioners in Scotland will see 1.25 per cent uplift to the GMS contract, which includes a one per cent increase in salary, it was confirmed today.

The increase is in line with the one per cent increase all other health workers will receive and will be paid from April 1, 2013.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said:“I am very pleased that we have successfully agreed on a pay increase for GPs to recognise the valuable work they do to improve the public’s health.

“The increase also recognises the more Scottish GP contract, which was reached in agreement with GPs – unique in the UK – that takes account of workloads and meets the needs of Scottish patients and I am confident this pay increase for is a fair deal for Scotland’s GPs.

“This pay rise reflects the fact that GPs are now be providing extra care for patients at the most risk of being admitted to hospital as well tackling health inequalities, for example asking patients about their alcohol consumption and offering advice and follow-up support if appropriate.

“The way patients are treated in our NHS is changing. We are seeing an increase in people receiving care in the community and are working to integrate health and social care - GPs will be key to us doing this successfully.”

The more Scottish GP contact reduces workload associated with bureaucracy allowing GPs to take an increasingly central role in tackling health priorities such as detecting cancer, reducing alcohol consumption and preventing obesity.