GP leaders have attacked government proposals for introducing clinical governance as 'motherhood and apple pie'. British Medical Association GP negotiator Dr Laurence Buckman said it was 'ludicrous' that guidance published last week contained 'no budget for clinical governance'. Higher standards of clinical care could not be achieved without funding for extra GP tutors and educational staff. Dr Buckman said he was 'wedded' to improving standards, but 'someone has to see my patients while I am learning'. GPs would not be prepared to fund their own locums and 'run the NHS as a charity from their own back pocket'.