Earlier this year, a General Practitioners Committee (GPC) ballot resulted in agreement by General Practice partners to take collective action over the General Medical Services contract (the national standard contract for General Practices (GPs) in the NHS).
British Medical Association (BMA) guidance said General Practice partners would be able to choose which actions their practices could take, that action would not be strike action, and it should not breach the contract held with NHS England.
Some practices began collective action on August 1, 2024, for an indefinite period. Whilst there may be some disruption to services, practices will remain open as usual.
Collective action in Lancashire and South Cumbria
In Lancashire and South Cumbria constructive dialogue on collective action is taking place between the Consortium of Lancashire and South Cumbria Local Medical Committees and the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Morecambe Bay position
Correspondence has been received by the ICB and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) from 16 practices in the Morecambe Bay area, who collectively provide services to nearly three quarters of the Morecambe Bay population. For some of these practices this says the delivery of specific services will cease on 1 December 2024.
Where practices have chosen not to continue providing these services in the meantime, they remain responsible for ensuring that patients are referred to the relevant alternative service. These alternative arrangements may mean some disruption, for which the ICB apologises.
NOTES
Earlier this year the ICB signalled a wider review of services locally commissioned from General Practices which includes the services some practices have decided to cease providing. The ICB has written to all practices in Lancashire and South Cumbria, committing to consistent commissioning from 1 April 2025.
The collective action relates to the dispute between the BMA and NHS England regarding the 2024/25 contract changes, and specifically, that the 6% Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration uplift is insufficient to restore real-terms core contract funding to 2018/19 levels.
The action is not co-ordinated, meaning individual practices will decide what actions (if any) they undertake.
NHS teams have worked hard to mitigate any action and ensure services continue to be provided for patients.
Key Messages for the public
- The NHS is asking the public to come forward as usual for care during collective action.
- If you have an appointment with your GP practice, you should attend as usual, unless you are told otherwise.
- Practices will still be open and see patients and you can book appointments through your GP practice.
- In some instances, your GP practice may refer you to a different NHS provider for a service it has previously provided.
Further information can be found on the ICB website at: LSC Integrated Care Board - GP Collective Action