GPs in the British Medical Association (BMA) have voted to take part in countrywide collective action. Collective action is not quite the same as industrial action. It will mean GPs taking action to stop or reduce certain work but they will be open for business, seeing patients.
What Does This Mean for You?
The NHS is asking the public to come forward as usual for care during collective action.
If you have an appointment with your GP practice, you should attend as usual, unless you are told otherwise.
Practices will still be open and see patients and you can book appointments through your GP practice. However, some GPs may direct patients to other local services.
Your GP practice will be able to explain any changes they are introducing and what you need to do.
Patients can use 111 online for health needs, and should only call 999 in a serious or life-threatening emergency.
Your local pharmacist may be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine without the need to see a GP. You can search for your local pharmacy on the NHS website.
GP practices are working hard to continue to provide care to patients throughout the collective action, and will continue to provide the best care possible with the resources they have.
Further Information
GP practices that are operated by ELFT will not be participating in collective action due to contractual differences. However, other practices that are not run by ELFT, but are in east London, Bedfordshire or Luton, may.
The BMA has issued a list of 10 suggested actions that GPs could take as part of collective action. It is not asking practices to breach contracts, but consider which of the 10 they may want to engage in.
This list can be found on the BMA’s website: https://www.bma.org.uk/our-campaigns/gp-campaigns/contracts/gp-contract-202425-changes.