FAMILY doctors working in the poorest areas of England are paid £5,525 less a year than those covering wealthier regions, a study has found.

University of Manchester researchers analysed data for the GP work life survey, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

They found that GPs working in more deprived areas faced significantly higher pressures, including underfunding and problem patients.

The study also said there was no difference in hours worked a week, job satisfaction and intention to quit between more deprived and wealthier areas.

Prof Matt Sutton, a lecturer at the University of Manchester and senior author of the study, said: “Though deprived populations have higher needs for GP services, we know these areas have the most difficulty recruiting and retaining GPs.

“Our study is the first to examine how working in deprived areas affects the working lives of GPs.

“Addressing their concerns about increased job pressure and decreased resources would help reduce health inequalities.”

The Department of Health and Social Care said it has hired more than 1,500 GPs since October and that its plan for change is making their work more efficient by cutting red tape.