SHIPLEY constituency MP Philip Davies has slammed proposals to give GPs extra cash to diagnose dementia at a time when it is claimed nurses cannot be given a small pay rise.

Mr Davies, whose constituency includes Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston, said the plans by NHS England were “ludicrous” and highly paid GPs should not need any incentives to do their job.

Speaking in the Commons, he called for a debate over the proposals, which would see £55 paid out for every dementia diagnosis.

Mr Davies said: “Surely GPs are already paid to correctly diagnose their patients with whatever ailment it may well be that they have. If the government has not got enough money to give lowly paid nurses a one per cent pay rise, how on earth can it find the money to give highly paid GPs an extra £55 a pop for doing their job?”

NHS England claims it will increase the number of sufferers who receive treatment but patient groups believe it is a step too far and means “a bounty on the head” of some patients.

Mr Davies said doctors had a duty of care to diagnose the conditions of patients correctly and quickly, regardless of incentives. The announcement raised concerns over what other conditions GPs were given extra cash to diagnose.

But William Hague said the move would help.