PRESS RELEASE: GPC will not ballot its members on methods of possible industrial action.
GP Survival is disappointed in the response from BMA-GPC over a possible industrial action ballot. While many colleagues were cautious about submitting undated resignations, there was an almost universal demand for alternative means of action. GPs have instead been left with no ballot, and no way of feeling they can stand up for their patients and colleagues.
While we appreciate that NHS England have agreed to discuss all the demands made in the Urgent Prescription for General Practice, we are very worried that there is no concrete time-frame for this, nor clear outcomes. Most strikingly, there is no mechanism to hold the Government to account.
GPs across the country simply do not trust NHS England and the Department of Health to deliver. However hard-won this agreement has been by the GPC, it cannot address the over-riding concern that this government is apparently content to preside over the total collapse of NHS General Practice.
The GPC now have a duty to offer all GPs detailed options on mechanisms of action that they can undertake to stop patient safety, and doctors’ health, being put at risk. The profession needs immediate and tangible steps to regain control of the excess workload, which is breaking general practice.
We therefore urge the GPC to put it to NHS England that unless there is a meaningful increase in GP core funding, by a significant net uplift in the Global Sum, within the next 3 months, then the profession must be balloted on what forms of industrial action may be appropriate.
GP Survival Committee 2016