Family doctors in England have voted to limit the number of patients they see and refuse extra work in protest of what they describe as a 'broken' funding model. The British Medical Association reported that 98.3% of the 8,500 general practitioners who voted supported the work-to-rule action, which is just short of a strike. This open-ended action is set to begin immediately.
The National Health Service, which is state-funded, assured that doctors' offices would remain open, and the impact of the action would vary across different locations. The union characterized this collective action as 'an act of desperation,' citing concerns over a new contract between doctors and the government. The contract includes a 1.9% funding increase for services in 2024-25, but many practices fear they will struggle to remain financially viable. It's important to note that doctors' practices are funded by the government but operate as independent businesses.
Dr. Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the union's general practice committee for England, expressed her worries, stating, 'We are witnessing general practice being broken. The era of the family doctor has been wiped out by recent consecutive governments, and our patients are suffering as a result.'
The newly elected Labour Party government has made it a priority to address the concerns of public sector workers, including teachers, nurses, and hospital doctors. These workers have faced declining pay in real terms alongside an increasing workload due to rising demand. The government recently reached a pay deal with junior doctors, offering them a 22% pay increase over two years in exchange for ending a series of strikes that had strained the National Health Service.
Dr. Amanda Doyle, NHS National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, acknowledged the crucial role of GPs and their teams in the NHS. She emphasized that they are working tirelessly to manage record demand. The NHS is committed to collaborating with the government to find a resolution and put an end to the collective action.
