Nearly half of GP practices in England are organising their first strike in 60 years over a funding dispute, with one in four GP practices limiting the number of patients they see to 25 a day, a survey found.
GPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action earlier this month in protest at the previous government’s increase in their budget by just 1.9% this year. The new government has pledged to increase funding to 6% for 2024-25.
Senior NHS leaders fear “alarming” and “dangerous” disruption until Christmas and potentially into 2025, with hospitals, emergency departments and mental health services bracing for a surge in demand from thousands of patients turning to them for help.
A letter seen by the Guardian, sent to NHS leaders by the national director of primary care, Dr Amanda Doyle, says the NHS is preparing for a “worst-case scenario” and that 999 services could be affected.
A snapshot of GP practices shows that 46% are already taking measures to comply with the rules, and more than a quarter (26%) are limiting the number of patients they see per day to 25.
The survey among 283 GP partners from various practices by Pulse magazine found that another 20% would take collective action in the future. Another 22% are considering it. Only 7% ruled out taking action.
One in four (25%) said they believed the measure would be harmful to patients in the short term.
GP partners can choose what form of action they take from a selection of 10 measures set out by the British Medical Association. As well as limiting patient numbers, they can stop work they are not formally contracted to do and ignore ‘rationing’ restrictions by ‘prescribing what is in the best interests of the patient’.
Half of respondents (50%) indicated they were prepared to step up strikes. This could mean a full strike, for example by closing the doors for a period of time.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said she recognised the pressures on GPs. “But for years patients have found it difficult to get an appointment at their GP surgery, sometimes not even getting through to the surgery on the phone.
“Any industry action that could affect a patient’s access to care in a GP practice is bad news for millions of people and we believe there must be another way for the BMA and the government to resolve their differences.”
Doyle said in a statement that it is critical that patients continue to come forward.
“We will closely monitor the impact of this action to ensure practices meet their contractual obligations and continue to meet the needs of patients,” she said.
The NHS was committed to tackling the issues within general practice and had implemented changes to support staff and improve access for patients, she added.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.