GPs Vote for Collective Action
General practitioners (GPs) in England have voted to take collective action over a funding dispute. This includes limiting patient appointments, refusing to share patient data, and directly referring patients to specialists to bypass longer processes.
Overwhelming Support for Action
The British Medical Association (BMA) announced that 98.3% of over 8,500 GPs participating in the ballot supported industrial action. They aim to push the UK government to increase the budget for family doctors, citing the need for adequate funding to manage growing pressures.
Funding Struggles and Desperation
The BMA described the situation as an act of desperation, highlighting a new contract that provides only a 1.9% funding increase for 2024-25. This minimal increase threatens the financial viability of many practices, as GPs are forced to do more with less.
NHS Response and Government Priorities
The NHS assured that doctors’ offices would remain open, with the impact of the action varying locally. The newly elected Labour government has prioritized ending public sector strikes, including those by teachers, nurses, and hospital doctors, who demand better pay and manageable workloads.
Ongoing Dialogue and Future Impact
Dr. Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the BMA’s general practice committee, acknowledged positive discussions with the new Health Secretary. She emphasized that the impact of the collective action might not be immediate, giving the government time to consider the BMA’s proposed solutions to fix the contract and address the issues plaguing general practice.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Reuters
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