GPs ‘angry and upset’ at changes to contracts

GPs in England are set to consider next steps after an “overwhelming” majority voted to reject Government changes to their contract.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said family doctors felt “frustrated, angry and upset” at planned changes to the 2024-25 contract.

More than 19,000 GPs and GP registrars took part in the BMA’s referendum, with 99 per cent voting “no” when asked if they accepted the new contract for the service.

Earlier this year it was reported that the BMA had set out an approximate timeline for potential GP industrial action this winter.

The BMA has said previously that the contract, set to come into force on Monday, would mean practices were 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”. The BMA said 2,400 more GPs have joined the union since the beginning of February.

Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee for England, said: “The unanimity of the vote in our referendum demonstrates the depth of feeling among the profession. In 20 years, I’ve never known GPs to be so frustrated, angry and upset.

“[The] overwhelming result signals the start of our fight-back, and we will bring our patients with us.

“GPC England meets today to consider the profession’s next steps, in a move emboldened by 2,400 newly registered BMA GP members.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “It is disappointing the BMA have voted against the contract.

“The number of GPs working in the NHS has been increasing for six months in a row, and last year the NHS delivered 50 million more GP appointments than five years ago.”