'Money can't buy my health up to 65'

GPs offered cash to stay on until retirement age

GPs who are planning to retire are to be offered a £10,000 investment bond to encourage them to stay on until 65.

The government hopes the cash incentive, along with a £5,000 inducement to encourage trainee doctors to chose general practice, will help cut GP shortages.

But is the cash incentive going to be enough to boost morale and staffing numbers?

BBC News Online talked to one GP about his plan's for the future and his thoughts on the government offer.

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At the end of each week Dr Kevin Ilsely leaves his surgery in North Herefordshire feeling tired and demoralised.

He says no amount of cash incentives from the government will encourage him to stay on until 65 and he even hopes to be able to leave in four years time when he turns 55.

I don't think I would do it for £100,000

Dr Kevin Ilsley

Dr Ilsley, who has a surgery in the village of Bromyard, said he is a dedicated GP, but long hours, a lack of appreciation and media scare stories about doctors, have ruined his pleasure in his career.

"The morale of my colleagues has taken a hard knock over the last few years. We are being slagged off particularly following sensationalist stories and it does not encourage us."

No amount of money he said would persuade him to stay on.

He said: "I don't think I would do it for £100,000.

"I have no intention of staying on until I am 65. I just cannot see myself doing it.

Too tired

"I don't know whether to laugh or to cry. I could not believe it when I heard about this.

"The notion that giving doctors £10,000 was some how going to persuade GPs to stay on is absolutely ridiculous.

"It is an insult it misses the point entirely."

He said general practice desperately needs more staff to help existing GPs like himself cut back their punishing work schedules and focus on their own health.

"My wife asked me if the widows' of GPs would be getting the money, because if I carried on until 65 she was worried I would not make it.

"I am working 70-80 hours a week. I am absolutely knackered and I am committed to general practice. I absolutely love medicine and enjoy what I do for the first 40 hours of the week, but for the next 40 hours I don't.

"We need working hours that are humane."

Dr Ilsley said more GPs are desperately needed in the profession and wants to see the government plough more investment into education to achieve this.

He said: "There is a whole raft of things that need to be done it is a root and branch reform that is needed.

"People need to feel more valued then they are."