GPs could be taking industrial action as they begin to vote on possible ‘collective action’
General practice doctors could be taking industrial action from the beginning of August, the British Medical Association (BMA) union has announced today, June 17. GP members of the union who run their surgeries will vote on whether to support the BMA’s call for action.
The decision to launch the ballot follows GPs rejecting the government’s proposed changes to their contracts. Opposing the contract changes back in March, the GPs entered into a formal dispute with the NHS.
Collective action is not the same as strike action, but could include closing practice lists to new patients or working to rule. It could also see ‘GPs prioritising their patients’ needs over local NHS system rulings, pulling out from data sharing agreements, or pushing back against NHS England to instead offer face-to-face appointments as a default’, the BMA has said.
The BMA said family doctors felt ‘frustrated, angry and upset’ and claimed the contract will see practices given a ‘well below-inflation 1.9 per cent baseline practice contract funding uplift’.
The doctors’ union has warned that imposition of the contract would put practices at risk of closure as 'many will struggle to stay financially viable'.
More than 19,000 GPs and GP registrars took part in the union’s referendum, with 99.2 per cent voting ‘no’ when asked if they would accept the deal.
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The BMA’s ballot for collective action opens for GPs in England today – closing at midday on Monday 29th July.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of BMA's General Practitioners Committee in England, said: “Over 99 per cent of our members who responded, that’s more than 19,000 GPs and GP trainees, rightfully rejected the Government and NHS England’s 2024/25 GP contract changes. Despite numerous warnings and their refusal to improve the contract we’ve been left with no choice but to take action to save general practice.
“I urge all GP partner and contractor members to vote 'yes' and show the next government that GPs can no longer tolerate running practices with less and less funding as demand continues to spiral. We want to provide patients with a quality service but it’s increasingly clear, and our patients can see for themselves - we simply cannot do that without sufficient investment and more GPs in our surgeries.”
While discussions are ongoing, nothing is fixed, and all plans being explored are subject to change, the BMA added.
The BMA will seek to direct action from 1st August 2024. The GP Committee for England is encouraging all members to vote ‘yes’. The vote will ‘send a message to NHSE that GPs and their practice teams are ready to stand together for better services for patients and to protect practices, according to the union.
After the contract changes were rejected, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We hugely value the work of GPs and their teams and it is disappointing the BMA have voted against the contract.
“It will reduce bureaucracy so GPs can spend more time with patients and give them greater autonomy to run local practices. Further pay uplifts may be made to the contract following the Government’s response to the independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration.
“There are now 800 more doctors working in general practice compared to last February, and last year the NHS delivered 50 million more GP appointments than five years ago.”