ABSTRACT
The inducement scheme exists to ensure the provision of general medical services in areas where a GP's presence is deemed to be essential but where there are insufficient patients to provide the doctor with adequate income from the generation of fees and allowances. The intention is that an inducement doctor should neither be advantaged nor disadvantaged when compared to other GPs in comparable practices who are not eligible to participate in the scheme. The Associate scheme allows the deployment of an extra doctor between two single-handed principals, although Associates may also work part-time and be attached to one practice only. Doctors who are employed as Associates must satisfy the vocational training regulations and be eligible to apply for inclusion on the list of an FHSA or health board. The doctors' retainer scheme was established in 1972 to allow doctors who couldn't practice full time to be able to keep working and maintain their skills.
