But practices have been invited to continue to offer the services for free.

At least 40 GP practices in NHS Haringey are understood to have been told that funding for a range of services will be stopped with immediate effect.

Londonwide LMCs joint chief executive Dr Michelle Drage said: ‘The PCT has informed GPs that it will be stopping all LES payments with immediate effect.

‘GPs were invited to continue with the work if they wished,' she added.

Most of the LESs involve contracts that run until the end of the year, and are worth ‘millions' to GP across the area, Dr Drage added.

Londonwide LMCs said NHS Haringey had not responded to concerns it had raised over GPs' incomes.

An NHS Haringey spokesman said: ''In setting a balanced budget for 2009/10, NHS Haringey has had to set its primary care budgets at the level of out-turn spend in 2008/09. We have communicated this fact (and its implications) to the LMC on a number of occasions from March 2009. 

‘NHS Haringey intends to commission a smaller range of LESs in 2009/10, but is committed to funding those services to the same level as was claimed by GP practices for all LESs in 2008/9.'  

Uplifts to GP pay agreed for the 2009/10 GMS contract were to be spread across services including LESs.

tom.ireland@haymarket.com

• Email Tom at the address above if your PCT is behaving in a similar way.

 

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