GPS forced to cut hours in heating crisis

Fears that family doctor service could collapse

- NICOLA SMALL

HUNDREDS of GP surgeries are cutting hours because they cannot afford to heat their practice.

An alarming survey found more than one in 10 GP partners have been forced to make the economies.

Nearly a quarter are not hiring, with 16% of those polled freezing pay or offering below inflation rises.

And 41% have cut energy use and one in five have asked staff to wear more layers so they can lower heating.

Nearly one in 10 said they were even considering shutting and returning NHS contracts.

1 in 10 GP partners say they have cut patient time due to soaring energy bills