22.11.19
Royal College of General Practitioners call for “urgent reform of tax system”
A statement released by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) criticises plans made earlier this week which outlined the policy for the NHS to pay senior clinicians tax bills to avoid winter understaffing.
In the statement released today (22 Nov) in response, the RCGP explains that the tax proposal is unfair not only on doctors outside of England, but also on self-employed GPs who will need to have more information in order to access the support they have been promised.
“Severe shortage of GPs” are cited in the publication as the reason for a need for urgent reform, particularly during the winter period.
The statement from Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of RCGP Council reads:
“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.”
Various medical organisations have condemned the new pension tax solution, with the British Medical Association calling it a “sticking plaster”.
The currently plan is not a permanent solution as it only applies to the 2019-2020 financial year.
The statement ends with:
"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."