A total of 6,159 GP practices (74.7 per cent) were offering extended opening hours in April, compared to 73.5 per cent in March, according to latest Department of Health statistics.

Doctors have begun work in the first six official polyclinics in London.

Now you see it – now you don’t. GPs’ leaders are annoyed over two enhanced service payment disappearing acts that will hit doctors in the pocket.

Doctors’ negotiators are seeking death in service benefits for any locum GPs who dies as a result of working through a flu pandemic and catching the virus.

PMS practices should have a minimum uplift of 0.7 per cent to core funding, says the GPC.