- GPs threaten election-time strike
- Concerns over patient impact
- Post-pandemic challenges in GP services
General practitioners have threatened to strike before the general election, which might upset patients and the government.
Family physician industrial action, according to the British Medical Association (BMA), could “play out” into autumn and winter, forcing Members of Parliament (MPs) to discuss it “on the doorstep” during their election campaigns.
This risk inundates hospitals with patients unable to see a primary care physician, seeking assistance at A&Es.
The warning comes days after union-affiliated junior doctors ended the longest six-day National Health Service boycott.
Their conduct resulted in the cancellation of more than 113,000 appointments and operations and a succession of critical incidents.
The chair of the BMA’s GP Committee, Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, stated that GPs will hold a referendum next month. This referendum will determine whether or not to approve the terms of a new NHS contract.
As has been the case in the past, if NHS England and the Department of Health impose a contract that the BMA has rejected. Additional votes will be held regarding industrial action, she added.
Dr. Bramall-Stainer, speaking to the GP magazine Pulse, stated, “I believe we would have to move to a formal ballot after April if NHS England and the Department of Health feel compelled to impose a contract with which we disagree beginning in April, and if an indicative ballot indicates that this sentiment is sufficiently shared by the profession.”
“I could see that continuing through the summer.”
Subsequently, I envision us considering the implementation of a menu consisting of collective actions. These actions may be cumulative, sequential, or supplemented with action over an extended period of time.
“I can envision this collective action continuing well into the autumn and possibly the winter as well.” Furthermore, it is common knowledge that autumn and winter bring about a general election.
Thus, if forced to proceed this way, we will debate family physician availability. Protection for family physicians will also be emphasized during the election campaign. This is how it should be, and we should face the people and explain our profession.
The GP Committee continues to negotiate the GP contract for the following year with NHS England and the Government.
The current five-year GP contract will expire in March. The BMA is conducting a survey to determine the preferences of grassroots GPs regarding the subsequent agreement.
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Post-pandemic, public perception of general practitioners plummeted to an all-time low, as patients encountered difficulties obtaining in-person consultations and were forced to endure a frantic phone line at 8 a.m. to reach a physician.
According to the most recent NHS data, GP partners, who own practices and comprise the majority of the staff, earned £153,400 on average in 2021/22.
However, fully qualified permanent GPs work for less than one in four (22 percent) as full-time employees, and one in twelve (8 percent) for 15 hours or less per week.
Dennis Reed, director of the over-60s campaign organization Silver Voices, remarked, “This appears to be the BMA saber-rattling in preparation for their negotiations.”
“I hope an agreement is reached for the benefit of all parties involved, as additional strikes are the last thing patients need at this time.”
“GP services are also deteriorating; some patients are being forced to wait weeks for an in-person consultation.”
“Longer wait times will result in increased suffering for patients.”
