Half of GPs agree to 'unethical' £55 financial reward for spotting dementia

NEARLY half of family doctors are signing up for controversial £55 payments for detecting dementia cases.

A doctor with cash in his pocket GETTY

GPs claim they can't turn down the extra income, despite most making more than the Prime Minister

Critics say the scheme sets a “dangerous precedent” and risks undermining patients’ trust amid fears many could be misdiagnosed.

Despite a number of GPs claiming that the service is “unethical”, 43 per cent are ready to sign up before next week’s deadline with many blaming cashflow problems.

One in 10 already earns more than Prime Minister David Cameron’s annual wage of £142,500 with 630 paid more than £200,000 and 160 receiving in excess of £250,000 in 2012/13.

Dr Simon Ruffle, a GP partner in Reading, said his practice could not turn down potential extra income.

He said: “Making payments linked to diagnosing conditions in patients seems wrong and open to abuse.

"But we have signed up to the scheme as our funding is continuing to be outstripped by wages, expenses, pension and National Insurance payments.”

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Making payments linked to diagnosing conditions in patients seems wrong and open to abuse

Dr Simon Ruffle

GPs already receive incentive payments to carry out a range of medical checks such as for high cholesterol, raised blood pressure and diabetes.

This is thought to be the first time there is a financial reward in return for a specific diagnosis.

The scheme was launched by NHS England last month to boost worryingly low detection rates – with fewer than half of cases picked up.

A survey of nearly 500 GPs shows that 43 per cent say they have signed up, or intend to sign up, for the Dementia Identification Scheme.

But two-thirds of respondents believe the new service is unethical.

Dr Peter Swinyard, of the Family Doctors Association, said his practice will participate in the service, despite being “deeply cynical” about it.

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