GP collective action
Update as of 1 August 2024, 4pm
The British Medical Association (BMA) balloted GP contractors and partner members across England. The ballot closed on 29 July, with 98.3% of GPs voting in favour of collective action as anticipated.
This means that GPs may choose to make changes to some aspects of how they work. Practices will still be open and will still see patients. However, some GPs may operate differently. Where this happens, patients may be directed to other local services to make sure that safe provision of care remains.
The NHS in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is working hard to ensure we can continue to deliver the best care possible during this time.
GP services remain open – please contact your practice as normal if you have a healthcare need.
Remember, not everyone will need to see their GP. Many common illnesses, such as indigestion and colds can be treated at home. The NHS website provides a wealth of information and self-care guidance.
Local pharmacists can also offer treatment for a wide range of conditions and can prescribe some medicines. Don’t forget you can use the NHS App for things like ordering repeat prescriptions – just remember to turn on notifications when you have registered.
Unless you are contacted by your GP surgery, you should still attend any planned GP appointments.
If you need help urgently but aren’t sure who to contact, phone NHS 111. Please remember that 999 and A&E should only be used for life-threatening emergencies at all times. If you do attend an emergency department, minor injuries unit or urgent treatment centre you may be asked to use an alternative service more appropriate for your needs, depending on your illness or injury.
As always, our priority is providing people with timely access to the right services for their health and care needs, while respecting GPs rights regarding collective action. Organisations across our area are working together to make contingency arrangements that reflects the scale of action that may take place.
We will continue to provide updates on the collective action and anticipated impact on local services.
You can find out more about local services on the which services should I use page of our website.
FAQs
What is happening?
The BMA has announced that GPs will take collective action. This means that GPs may choose to make changes to some aspects of how they work. Practices will still be open and will still see patients. However, some GPs may operate differently. Where this happens, patients may be directed to other local services to make sure that safe provision of care remains.
This is a non-statutory ballot for collective action, which means GPs should not be taking any action that would breach their contract.
I thought GPs were the NHS?
GPs are independent contractors who are contracted to provide NHS services. During collective action, GPs will still be working and will still be providing the NHS services that they are contracted to provide.
What is the impact of collective action?
During collective action practices are still required to fulfill their contracts, this essentially means that 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
- Providing access to prescriptions, long-term condition management, vaccinations, diagnoses and referral (including where clinically urgent).
Practices also need to take into account:
- The needs of a patient to avoid risks to patient safety
- The benefits to patients of providing continuity of care.
The NHS is working hard to plan for disruption and to mitigate this where possible. GPs are choosing to take this action but the nature of the collective action means that the impacts will vary at different GP practices and area by area. We anticipate that this action will cause disruption across the NHS as patients may need to attend other services, this could mean appointments for some services not being at your usual GP practice and instead being somewhere else.
When is this happening?
The nature of collective action means that it does not need a formal notice period, the BMA has indicated that this could mean action starting on 1 August 2024. As the action does not involve a breach of contract and practices will remain open, it could potentially continue for an unspecified but potentially significant period of time.
Is this safe?
Patient safety is a priority and the usual rules and considerations around safety continue to apply. GPs should not take any action that puts patient safety at risk.
Can I still get an appointment at my GP?
Yes, practices will still be open and you can book appointments through your practice. If you have an appointment, you should attend unless your GP practice tell you otherwise. Your GP practice should inform you of any changes to services.
What is NHS England doing about this?
The NHS and government is working hard to avert collective action and to plan for disruption and to mitigate this where possible. The nature of the collective action means that the impacts will vary at different GP practices. NHS England is working closely with government to review options for providing additional funding to further support general practice, subject to funding availability constraints.