GPs to ballot on alternative model for general practice in England

The British Medical Association’s (BMA’s) GP Committee for England will ballot GPs on exploring an alternative strategy for general practice that could allow practices greater freedom to provide private services to patients.

The move follows the passing of a resolution at the UK Local Medical Committees Conference earlier this month calling for consideration of a means-tested, subscription-based service model similar to arrangements currently used by NHS dentists.

According to the BMA, the committee will begin a wider consultation across the profession during the coming session to assess support for an alternative contracting arrangement for general practice in England.

Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the GP Committee for England, said:“The committee’s confidence in the future viability of their livelihoods, and of the profession itself within the NHS, is at an all-time low.

“Warnings have been repeatedly ignored by politicians that long-term under-investment in general practice, coupled with rising workloads, increasingly complex patient need, workforce attrition and contractual arrangements that leave practices vulnerable, will lead to GPs and practices being unable to deliver safe and sustainable care to their NHS patients.”

Bramall added: “Under current contractual arrangements, GPs are prevented from meeting patient demand for some services. These obstacles limit our ability to deliver the care patients ask for or deserve, restricting clinical flexibility.

“This exploration of an alternative model is a consequence of long-term political and systemic failure to protect NHS general practice and has left the profession deeply frustrated, with no other choice but to explore alternatives.

“This didn’t happen overnight; it has been a slow and gradual deterioration of morale within the profession.”