Practitioners Earn Less in Deprived Areas
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- Published: Monday, 28 April 2025 07:53
- Written by News Editor
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Recent research published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine highlights a troubling disparity in earnings between general practitioners (GPs) working in deprived areas and those in more affluent regions. On average, GPs in less affluent communities earn £5,525 less annually than their counterparts, despite often managing larger and more complex patient populations. This disparity underscores the broader issue of persistent health inequalities across the United Kingdom and calls for urgent governmental intervention.
GDPUK wonders if this applies in dentistry, and anecdotal evidence would not be certain.
GPs in economically disadvantaged areas frequently operate with limited resources and can face challenges such as securing adequate locum cover. In contrast, practices in wealthier areas benefit from better funding which translates into higher salaries and more stable staffing. This imbalance makes it increasingly difficult for deprived regions to attract and retain medical professionals, further compounding the challenges these communities face in accessing primary care.
To mitigate these challenges, the Targeted Enhanced Recruitment Scheme (TERS) was introduced in 2016. The scheme offers a one-off payment of £20,000 to GP trainees who commit to working in underserved areas. Since its inception, over 2,000 doctors have participated. However, despite repeated appeals from medical leaders, the government has chosen not to fund additional places this year, citing a lack of immediate need—a decision that may worsen the health divide between affluent and deprived areas.
These findings align with broader concerns about the state of general practice in the UK. A recent British Social Attitudes survey revealed that only 31% of patients are satisfied with GP services, and just 23% are satisfied with waiting times. The shift towards fewer in-person appointments, with increasing reliance on telephone consultations, has contributed to declining patient satisfaction.
The Royal College of General Practitioners has called for a renewed commitment from policymakers to rethink primary care strategies—paralleling similar calls for reform in the dental sector. As with dentistry, it is essential to allocate resources where the need is greatest and where patients have traditionally faced the most significant barriers to care.
Financial incentives alone are insufficient to support GPs in underserved communities. These professionals should also have access to ongoing professional development, including training and research opportunities. Such initiatives will not only support career progression but also improve long-term patient outcomes. It is critical that the contributions of family doctors serving in high-stress, low-resource environments are recognized and appropriately compensated.
Similar neglect has been seen in NHS dentistry, where state-funded courses and contracts that included time for postgraduate education have been phased out. This "Cinderella" approach to dental services must not be replicated in general practice. A more equitable and sustainable healthcare system depends on robust investment in both sectors, particularly in the areas most in need.
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