News » Political News » BMA opens collective action ballot
June 18th 2024
The BMA has opened a ballot for collective action by GPs in England from 1 August.
In its statement, the BMA says: “Collective action is not the same as strike action”. To explain, it says that action could see GPs withdrawing from data sharing agreements or pushing back against NHS England to instead offer face-to-face appointments as a default.
The ballot comes after the BMA formally entered a dispute with NHS England following the member referendum on the 2024/25 GMS contract changes in March.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of BMA's General Practitioners Committee said the aim of the action is to prioritise patient needs over NHS system ‘wants’. She said: “We want to provide patients with a quality service but it’s increasingly clear, and our patients can see for themselves - we simply cannot do that without sufficient investment and more GPs in our surgeries.”
The DDA says that each practice should decide whether to restrict patient access to the dispensary. However, practices may wish to note that the action does not intend to cause disruption to patients. GPs are reminded that a GP must be contactable while the dispensary is operating.
The ballot is open until 29 July.
