Sir, the credit crunch seems to be affecting the amount of UDA values offered to performers (associates).

Some newly qualified dentists have been offered as low as £5 per UDA, while those performers who have been working since the new contract took effect in 2006 are seeing their UDA values reduced to a lesser amount due to the credit crunch.

It is my understanding that the Government has taken inflation into account and applies some percentage increase in the contract value every financial year, of which none is passed on to the performers by the principals.

It is becoming quite obvious that this GDS contract favours only the principals and not the performers, even though the performers do most of the hard work. There has been a lack of transparency between principals and performers, with the UDA values passed on to performers not reflecting the UDA values given by the PCTs.

It may be advisable when considering any changes to the GDS contract in the future to take the plight of the performers into account. Changes such as setting a reasonable minimum UDA payment for performers and a maximum payment based on experience and qualifications might be made. The PCT on the other hand may decide to have a direct contract with the performers, who in turn would pay the principals the agreed UDA values taking all other expenses into consideration.

This would help boost the morale of performers, especially those who have got student loans and other commitments. It would also prevent crushing the already credit crunched performers!