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GP stages demonstration against PCT

by
27 October 2011

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A GP in Essex believes his surgery is the “worst-funded practice” in the NHS after he was forced to fork out £1,000 out of his own pocket to pay staff.

The East Anglian Daily Times reports Dr John Cormack staged a demonstration outside the Greenwood Surgery, “demanding better treatment” from Mid Essex PCT. He was joined by more than 300 people.

Dr Cormack claims Greenwood received £269,064 in funding during the past year. After outgoings, including rent, salaries and equipment, he said he was left with £7,194 to pay himself.

“The PCT have a lot of explaining to do. They seem to be able to manipulate things in their favour but we are without doubt the most under funded practice in the UK. If I were to leave or retire, who is going to want to work as a GP here in these conditions,” he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

“The PCT think there are enough resources but we are off the spectrum all together.”

Dr Cormack claimed the practice is “being treated differently” due to “personal reasons” and as a punishment for being outspoken in the past.

Mid Essex PCT denied any claims of discrimination and has said Greenwood Surgery is receiving the correct amount of funding

The practice currently employs one GP, three nurses, a practice manager, two HCAs and six part-time receptionists.

More than 2,500 patients are registered at the surgery.