Early diagnosis of dementia could lead to big bonuses for GPs

The NHS is set to reward GPs with an array of new bonuses if they make improvements in the care of patients with dementia.

Practices could be given additional payments that could total up to £30,000 per year if the treatment of cancer and dementia are improved, the Daily Mail reports.

Early diagnoses would lead to improved survival rates and so it is these areas that the NHS want to target and reward good service in.

It would then be at the discretion of the GPs in charge of the surgery to decide if they are to reinvest the bonuses into patient care or if they are to be used as personal financial rewards for staff.

However, the plans have been met with some criticism from people who believe that GPs are already sufficiently financially rewarded for their work.

Robert Oxley, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "The last thing taxpayers will want to see is bigger salaries and bonuses for already well-paid GPs without significant improvements to services."

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes.