GPs' collective action - update
What does this mean for patients?
Following the announcement from the British Medical Association (BMA), GPs will take collective action from today – Thursday, 1 August 2024. The action relates to a dispute over funding levels.
GPs across England may start capping the number of patients they are willing to see after the British Medical Association announced an immediate work-to-rule action. The NHS and government are working to avert collection action.
During this time, GP practices are still open, and patients should continue to access GP services in the usual way, unless directed otherwise by their practice. The impacts will vary at different GP practices and from area to area.
Commenting on news, Louise Ansari, Healthwatch England Chief Executive said:
“Patients tell us they highly value their relationship with their GP, however, they persistently find it difficult to access timely appointments.
“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 collective action, whether they are limiting the number of appointments, what type of health needs will be prioritised, and where to go for alternative help. GP surgeries could share this information on their websites, surgery phone voice messages, notices at reception, or disseminate it via local Healthwatch, other community organisations, and integrated care boards’ communication teams.
“Ultimately, it’s essential that the BMA and NHS England work with urgency to resolve the GP contract dispute.”
What should you do?
As GP practices work independently and in different ways, some services may be more impacted than others depending on the action the surgery decides to take.
However, all GP surgeries will remain open and operational, and patients should continue to access GP services, and contact their practice by phone, on-line or in person, unless directed otherwise by their practice. You can read more on the NHS England website.
During collective action, practices are still required to be open between 08:00 and 18:30 Monday to Friday.
Check your GP practices website for more information.
Think pharmacy
Local pharmacies can give advice on a range of conditions and suggest medicines that can help with minor health issues. Through Pharmacy First, they may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for the following conditions:
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
Find out more about Pharmacy First on the NHS website.
For non-urgent health issues think Pharmacy First and use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent health needs. Only use 999 and A&E if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency.
What action will Healthwatch be taking?
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We will also work with Primary Care Commissioners and GP practices. These will provide a more accurate picture of our local situation.
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We will update our websites with information about what collective action looks like locally.
Has this action affected you?
If you are affected please get in touch and share your story with us.
Call: 0300 012 0122
Email: helpdesk@healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk
Questions and answers
What is happening?
The BMA has announced that GPs will take collective action should their ballot outcome support this course of 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 fulfil their contracts, this essentially means:
Practices are required to be open between 8am and 6:30pm – 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 terms 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.
