British GPs Vote for Unprecedented Collective Action Amid Contract Disputes, Threatening NHS Stability

For the first time in six decades, general practitioners are set to take joint action

General practitioners are considering various measures such as capping their daily patient consultations at 25 and declining to disclose patient information, as a form of protest against the terms of a new contract proposed to them.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Thursday, August 1, 2024, 4:

General practitioners in England have decisively chosen to engage in collective protest for the first time in six decades due to disagreements regarding their latest contract.

Participants will have the option to select from a range of measures outlined by the British Medical Association (BMA) following a vote in which 98.3% of over 8,500 general practitioners who participated supported the initiative.

Physicians have indicated that the strike might continue for "several months" and has the potential to rapidly halt operations within the NHS for administrative personnel and government officials, although it should not affect patients.

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Available choices are:

• Reducing the number of daily patients to 25, which is approximately 33% less than usual

• Cease using the electronic referral and consultation service that enables general practitioners to consult with other medical professionals.

Further Details on NHS

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• Disabling NHS programs that provide reduced-cost or complimentary medication for certain individuals

• Directing patients straight to specialized treatment instead of navigating intricate NHS procedures.

• Declining to disclose patient information except when it benefits the patient's welfare

• Revoke authorization for agreements that utilize data for ancillary objectives

• Postpone agreeing to participate in any NHS trial schemes.

Every GP practice has the flexibility to select and adopt the method that best suits their needs.

They have the option to begin with a single element and gradually introduce others, or to implement all elements simultaneously from the outset.

The BMA stated that numerous measures will result in general practitioners having extended consultations with their patients, highlighting that issues stem from "broader NHS systems, national mismanagement, and bureaucratic processes."

The most recent instance of general practitioners engaging in joint protest occurred in 1964, when family physicians submitted undated resignations to the administration of Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

This prompted changes such as the Family Doctor Charter of 1965, which significantly altered the payment system for general practitioners.

Following the resolution of the junior doctors' strikes, Wes Streeting is now tasked with addressing the grievances of general practitioners.

Having just settled the prolonged strikes involving junior doctors, Wes Streeting is now faced with the task of resolving the issues with general practitioners.

He correctly points out that the current disarray was not initiated by the incoming administration, but rather, it is a legacy issue they have inherited.

He must address the issue promptly.

Although it's not technically a strike since general practitioners (GPs) are bound by legal contracts, it does allow medical practices throughout England to decide independently on their course of action, which will undoubtedly affect patients.

The British Medical Association recommends that general practitioners should see no more than 25 patients daily.

This is the advised safety limit, although it's common for many general practitioners to exceed this amount regularly.

The NHS England is emphasizing that medical practices remain operational and are urging individuals to seek a consultation with their general practitioner if they are experiencing any health issues.

In practical terms, this suggests that patients, who often express dissatisfaction over difficulties in scheduling appointments with their general practitioners, will likely end up visiting hospitals as an alternative.

This is precisely what health authorities are trying to avoid.

This could also require Wes Streeting to postpone his intentions of prioritizing community care in his overhaul of the healthcare system.

The goal is to focus more on prevention, early intervention, and treatment outside of a hospital setting. Achieving this requires the support and cooperation of his general practitioners.

The recently appointed health secretary has informed general practitioners that their grievances should be directed at the former government, emphasizing that the current administration is dedicated to transforming the NHS to better serve both patients and employees.

The current issue is that he might confront unions representing healthcare professionals, who are now more inclined to demand improved pay and conditions following the agreement reached with the junior doctors.

On July 29, the recently elected Labour administration declared a 6% raise in the salary bracket for salaried general practitioners, affecting around 15,000 doctors. Additionally, there will be a 6% consolidated increase to the payment component of the GP contract, which includes a 4% rise in addition to the 2% provisional raise implemented in April.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated, "We've taken on a ridiculous scenario in which patients struggle to secure GP appointments, while GPs themselves face difficulties finding employment."

"We are swiftly moving forward with plans to hire an additional 1,000 general practitioners. My goal is to collaborate with these professionals to collectively restore the NHS."

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Dr. Katie Bramall-Stainer, who leads the BMA's General Practitioners Committee in England, stated, "This is not going to happen overnight; it's going to be a gradual process. It might take a while before we see any significant effects."

"We trust that this will provide the incoming administration with the opportunity to evaluate our suggested resolutions, such as permanently resolving the issues with our contract."

Discover more: Government proposes a 22% salary increase to junior doctors in an attempt to halt strikes. NHS issues nationwide warning due to scarcity of blood types.

Dr. Bramall-Stainer expressed that general practitioners are "completely exhausted" and have long been "unable to deliver the level of care they aspire to."

"Recent successive administrations have eliminated the tradition of the family doctor, negatively impacting our patients."

She stated that there have been "numerous chances" to tackle financial problems in general practice, but despite the overwhelming majority of GPs voting against their contract offer for 2024/25, "no action was taken."

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Dr. Brammal-Stainer further noted that practices are facing such severe financial difficulties that they are barely able to pay their bills, cannot afford to recruit essential GPs and staff, and some have permanently shut down.

She mentioned that general practitioners recognize the NHS's challenges have been passed down to the new Labour administration, and she noted that there have been "some encouraging discussions" with Mr. Streeting. However, the issues leading to practice closures and doctors departing still persist.

Dr. Brammal-Stainer also mentioned that the collective effort "will assist in maintaining practice operations and retaining GPs within the NHS workforce, providing Mr. Streeting with the opportunity to implement the promised reforms outlined in the Labour Party's election manifesto."

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Tory shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins commented, "Following the substantial 22% salary increase granted to junior doctors, it's hardly unexpected that other medical staff feel neglected by the new Labour administration.

"Rather than yielding to the costly demands of the unions, it is essential that the Labour government settles this disagreement. If not, it will be the patients and the general public who suffer, facing further strikes and increased taxes."

The move follows a fresh salary proposal from the Department of Health and Social Care to England's junior doctors, which could conclude several months of strikes.

Young medical professionals associated with the BMA are currently casting their votes on whether to approve an agreement that offers an average increase of 22.3% over a two-year period.

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