GP Threat to Bring NHS to “Standstill” Over Contract Dispute

The British Medical Association (BMA) has launched a ballot among family doctors in England, with the potential for collective action that could bring the National Health Service (NHS) to a “standstill”. The dispute stems from a new contract for GP services in England, which many doctors believe will jeopardize the financial viability of their surgeries.

If GPs vote in favor of collective action, they could limit the number of patients they see each day, refuse to perform work they are not contracted to do, and even ignore “rationing” restrictions by prescribing what they deem to be in the patient’s best interest. Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chairwoman of the BMA’s England General Practitioners Committee, emphasized that this is not a strike but “collective, premeditated, disruptive action”.

The new GP service contract includes a 1.9% funding increase for 2024-25, but the BMA argues that many surgeries will struggle to remain financially viable under these terms. The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the concerns raised by the BMA and stressed the importance of planning for all contingencies to ensure the safety of patients.

The outcome of the ballot is set to be revealed soon, and if GPs opt for collective action, the potential impact on the NHS could be significant. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.