Unbelievable.....I was quite surprised to note this. I guess it was on the cards, but this has come without any imminent warning. In 2007, the banding was cut from 60% to 50% and now it is down to 45%. It will affect all those starting out in GP jobs from this month. Even if you were paid higher banding last year, if you are now in a hospital post then when you get back, you will have a pay cut!!

Did we need this? PMETB has increased their fee. Ok, it is only £25 increase but £805 is a big fee, especially in the current financial climate. Are doctors immune from the economic crises? Not really ! Thanks to the Darzi recommendations, practices are not taking on new partners if they can help. How many trainees will get partnerships? Not many. How many will get desired salaried posts? A few. How many will locum? Most of us.

Anyway, I deviate. The issue is the pay cut for GP Registrars. This is in line with the hospital doctors' pay cut. Is that really happening? I do not know any SHO whose pay is being cut. Wonder if it is because GP registrars are a small minority, working largely in isolation except for the weekly meetings