22 November 2019
Urgent Reform of Tax System Needed so That All GPs are Treated Fairly, Says College
Responding to NHS pension proposals, Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the RCGP said:
"We are relieved to hear that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are joining forces to address the pension tax crisis. At a time when we already have a severe shortage of GPs and our family doctor service is stretched to its limits, this is increasing the pressure by restricting GPs in the work they do.
"However, the proposals outlined are only a partial fix, not a long-term solution. Self-employed GPs, who manage their tax through self-assessment, will need additional information and guidance in order to access this support. Extra funding will also be needed so that it can be extended to GPs and other clinicians working across the other nations of the UK.
"In the longer-term, we need a comprehensive solution that can be easily applied to all professionals in both primary and secondary care. Given the complexity of the system already in place, this needs to focus on urgently reforming the tax system so that all GPs are fairly treated.
"We will continue to support the BMA and NHS England in developing a sustainable solution which works for all GPs, whatever their employment status, and the wider NHS."
Further Information
RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7633/7574/7575
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 53,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.