§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reason Worthing is not included in areas eligible for his new incentive scheme for recruiting GPs to work in areas of high shortages; [14345]
(2) if he will list those areas eligible for his scheme to provide financial incentives to general practitioners to work in areas of high shortages; and what sums are available in each. [14344]
§ Mr. HuttonThere are incentives for all areas of up to £5,000 per eligible general practitioner. Those areas deemed as underdoctored will attract an additional payment of up to £5,000 more per eligible GP.
The primary care trusts/groups eligible for the underdoctored additional payment are those that have fewer than the national median number of GPs (GP principals or equivalent on whole-time equivalent basis) per 100,000 weighted population. The national PCT/G median is 52.695 GPs per 100,000 weighted population, Worthing PCG has 54.35 GPs per 100.000 weighted population and therefore each newly appointed GP will receive up to £5,000.
There is no cap to the amount of money available to any area under this scheme.
The list of areas eligible to receive the additional payment for being an underdoctored area, along with guidance on the golden hello scheme is available on 689W the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/ pricare/goldenhello. A copy is also available in the Library.