The extended hours directed enhanced service (DES) will be unsafe for GPs working on their own at night, according to a letter to all UK GPs from the GPC.

Do the DOH get what they wanted all along...Saturday opening ??

This service could easily combine 2 practices with 2 GPs running side by side most GPs are part of a health centre... where is the problem even single GPs could organize this anyway what are we talking 7-8pm once a week... Vets do these hours 6 days a week and don't suffer such problems...stop looking for lame excuses and give the tax payer the service they deserve. Does Mr Buckman forget GPs used to work through the night I think turning up to a city hi rise at night is far more dangerous but no one batted an eye lid years ago. If they are that worried they could employ a security guard.

Vets get paid for the time spent!! There is no extra money for these hours.

Vets earn on a good year £65k a wee bit short of your £95k +

Vets may have to deal with some poor fluffy pets, but we may have to deal with some real intoxicated and aggrieved animals!

Looks like Mr. Johnson is definitely not for real. He is sympathetic to Vets who run a private enterprise but wants hard-working GPs to stay open late just because their supposed-income in greater even though, the consultation charges per patient as per the NHS tariff is excellent value for money. even Plumbers charge more for an appearance. Wake up and smell reality!

8pm once a week and 2 hours on a Saturday done in rotation would not impinge on any GP. Anyway I would prefer to pay out of hours to get a better service but GPs have never liked the thought of charging patients that psychological hang up is of your own making. The plumber on the other hand...

Please could George expand on "single handed GP's could organise this anyway"? I am genuininelyinterested in discovering all our opions! Potentially my boss - a single handed GP - is looking at doing 10 sessions already! Thank you.

What bullshit Mr.Johnston, firstly I am a full time GP who earns well below the £95K and I do not think it is acceptable to be told to work longer hours for less pay. Also working longer hours would impinge on many GPs. We (Doctors & staff) all have lives outside of work, even if you don't. Many of us have children and/or elderly parents as well as other activities such as sport/music/arts. So get a life.

Don't know much about the terms and conditions we work under do you George Johnson.  We are not allowed to charge NHS patients.  Maybe you had better do some checking of facts before commenting on things you clearly have little knowledge off.

Safe or Unsafe, this is a Political issue for next Genera Election. The government would ask the GPs to work 8-8 5/7 and 9-5 on saturday. They wil sk Hospital Doctors to do the same. That is Democracy!!

OK, so that is 12 hours shifts,Monday to Friday and 8 hour shifts on a Saturday - in total 68 hour week.

Would you get into a bus or train or plane if the person in charge worked that kind of shift pattern because that is what is being asked of GP's - the Government is not happy for us to relinquish any existing hours - just to add new ones in.