A KENT GP has branded government plans to re-instate evenings and weekend doctors' appointments as a "populist gimmick".

Chairman of the Maidstone division of the British Medical Association (BMA), Dr Paul Hobday, accused Gordon Brown of using the issue of extended surgery opening hours as a vote winning ploy and had not thought it through.

He said: "In the 25 years I have been practising and dealing with medical politics, I have never seen such incompetence from the Government in my life.

"There is no philosophy behind this policy. It is just a populist gimmick by Gordon Brown that he thinks will win him more votes."

GPs and ministers are currently at loggerheads over government proposals to bring back evening and weekend GP clinics, despite the Department of Health pulling the plug on them in 2004.

Dr Hobday, who practices at Sutton Valence surgery at Maidstone, said the proposals would force the average practice to either work an extra three hours a week, or face a £6,000 pay cut or worse.

He said: "I attended a recent meeting full of Kent GPs who are furious about this.

"Doctors nearing retirement are thinking of just packing it all in early, and younger GPs are concerned that if the Government cuts salaries now, they will do it again and again in the future."

He added: "It is a fallacy to think there are massive amounts of people all wanting an evening service. If you are very ill, it's likely you won't be at work and can see us during the day or through an out of hours service.

"If you just want a blood pressure or diabetes check-up after work, it is pointless unless the Government funds the laboratories to stay open late as well, otherwise you would have to come back during the day anyway."

Conservative MP for North Thanet Roger Gale echoed Dr Hobday's comments. He said: "Of course those of us working anti-social hours want GP surgeries to open to suit our personal needs, but it must be left to the individual practices to determine local demand.

"The proposed cuts - for that is what they are - are likely to both damage patient care and actually diminish access."

In a letter sent to all GPs in England, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The proposal…is that practices should provide 30 minutes of extended opening per week for every 1,000 of their registered patients – or three hours for an average-sized practice."