Almost half of GP practices in England are taking industrial action for the first time in 60 years due to disputes over funding, with one in four GP practices limiting the number of patients they see to 25 a day, a survey has shown.
GPs voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to take collective action to protest against the last government increasing its budget by just 1.9 per cent this year. The new government has promised to increase funding to 6 per cent for 2024-25.
NHS leaders fear “alarming” and “dangerous” disruption until Christmas and possibly into 2025. Hospitals, emergency departments and mental health services will have to prepare for a surge in demand as thousands of patients turn to them for help.
A letter seen by the Guardian, sent to NHS managers by national director of primary care Dr Amanda Doyle, said the NHS was preparing for a “worst-case scenario” and that 999 services could be affected.
A sample of general practices suggests that 46% already practice duty-to-rule and more than a quarter (26%) limit the number of patients they see per day to 25.
A study conducted by Pulse magazine among 283 GP partners from different practices found that a further 20 percent want to take joint measures in the future. Another 22 percent are considering it. Only 7 percent ruled out any measures.
One in four (25%) said that they believed the measure would harm patients in the short term.
The partner doctors can choose from a selection of ten measures set out by the British Medical Association. As well as limiting the number of patients, they can stop work they are not formally contracted to do and ignore “rationing restrictions” by “prescribing what is in the best interests of the patient”.
Half of respondents (50%) said they would be prepared to take more industrial action, which could include comprehensive strikes, such as closing the business for a certain period of time.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the patients’ association, said she was aware of the pressures GPs were facing. “But for years it has been difficult for patients to get an appointment at their GP surgery, sometimes even difficult for them to reach the surgery by telephone.”
“Any industrial action that could affect a patient’s access to GP care is bad news for millions of people and we believe there must be another way for the BMA and the Government to resolve their differences.”
In a statement, Doyle said it was critical that patients continue to come forward.
“We will monitor the impact of this measure to ensure practices meet their contractual obligations and continue to meet patient needs,” she said.
The NHS is committed to tackling the problems in general practice and has made changes to support staff and improve patient access, she added.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
