A DOCTORS' leader has defended GPs who insist that incentives would not make them open their surgeries for longer hours.

GPs have come under fire since a new contract introduced in 2004 enabled them to opt out of providing out-of-hours care in return for an average £6,000 salary drop.

A new survey for GP newspaper found that a quarter believed nothing would encourage them to open for extended hours.

Some of those questioned said they valued the end of 24-hour responsibility that the new contract has delivered.

Dorset GP and BMA representative Dr Tom McKinstry stressed that another recent survey had shown that doctors were working 56 hours a week.

He said: "At times I do more than that because I do general practice work as well.

"There are various reasons why doctors don't want to work more hours.

"Apart from contravening the European time directive, they are much more aware of the quality of life issue and want to spend more time with their families.

"There is a shortage of doctors and those who are working in surgeries are already stretched.

"They don't feel inclined to open on Saturdays and Sundays, when they wouldn't be able to get a day off in lieu.

"Doctors make life and death decisions so they shouldn't be feeling very tired. Their morale is already low."

Dr McKinstry added: "I work single-handedly in my West Moors practice and I wouldn't rush into coming in on Saturday mornings.

"It is not just the doctors who would be affected. Support staff feel the same way and wouldn't want to work longer hours.

"Public expectations are greater now; when I was on call I was only called in times of genuine need. Now calls tend to be at a much lower threshold."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson have said patients must be given access to GP care at more flexible times.

But Dr McKinstry said: "I don't understand where the government is coming from; there is not a desire for surgeries to be open at weekends."