The collective action – the first for 60 years by GPs – follows an overwhelming 98.3% vote in favour by more than 8,500 GPs who took part.
GP services across England began collective action yesterday (Thursday August 1) for an indefinite period of time, effectively working to rule. While there may be some disruption to services, practices will remain open as usual and patients can make requests by phone, on-line or by walking in.
The British Medical Association said potential action could include GPs refusing to see more than 25 patients per day – around a third fewer than normal but the recommended safe maximum – in a bid to force the Government to negotiate a new contract.
But North-East NHS leaders say they have plans in place to help manage any impact and are reminding the public that GP surgeries will be open.
They have also highlighted other options available such as pharmacy and NHS 111 online or by phone, and are urging people to keep A&E and 999 free for life-threatening emergencies only.
David Purdue, executive chief nurse at the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “We recognise that GPs are facing significant challenges and also the valuable service they, and their teams, provide to our communities.
“We would like to remind people that GP surgeries will remain open, so please attend any appointments unless you hear otherwise and continue to seek the help you need from your GP.
“For non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries people can also contact 111 online or by phone and or go their local pharmacist for help. Please keep A&E and 999 for life threatening situations only.
“If you think you might need to go to a hospital or an urgent treatment centre but you’re not sure – NHS111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week online or by phone.
“It’s really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases people continue to come forward – A&E and 999 services will be running as normal. If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, please call 999.
“The public can also help by ordering repeat prescriptions in plenty of time – please don’t wait until it’s too late. Remember it can take up to 72 hours to order a prescription and have it dispensed so please check with your pharmacy.”
Anyone needing urgent help for a mental health crisis can call NHS111 and select option 2. Local crisis team phone numbers are available on the NHS website here.
Chief Executive of Healthwatch England Louise Ansari said: “Without proactive communications to patients, the work-to-rule action could exacerbate access problems or even deter people from seeking help altogether if they are unsure whether their surgery is still open to patients.
“Patient safety must be paramount in any action GPs take. We strongly urge all GP practices to inform their patients if and when they are taking part in the action and where to go for alternative help. Ultimately, it’s essential that the BMA and NHS England work with urgency to resolve the GP contract dispute.”
Background:
- Practices should directly advise patients on any changes that might impact their patients as a result of collective action.
- Over the past two years, the NHS has been focusing efforts on reducing the pressure on general practice teams before taking steps to introduce wider reforms and change. This has meant tackling some of the issues around improving patient access, cutting bureaucracy, and supporting teams, such as with training and providing digital tools to help them better manage demand with the available capacity and resources.
- Collective action would mean GPs taking action that, in this initial phase, is not in breach of their contracts. So, during collective action practices are still required to fulfil their contracts, this essentially means:
- practices are required to be open between 0800 and 1830 Monday to Friday
- practices should provide reasonable care to patients this includes:
- making appointments available
- providing advice or care to patients by another means
- give advice on alternative services
- The GPCE have recommended 10 actions for collective action: GP contract 2024/25 changes (bma.org.uk)
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