GP leaders reject 10-year plan and back re-entering dispute with government

Credit: sturti

By Emma Wilkinson

GP leaders have voted to re-enter their dispute with the government over the NHS 10-Year Health plan, arguing it threatens the future of independent GP practices and the “very concept of the family doctor”.

At a special meeting, British Medical Association (BMA) delegates agreed to support the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) in taking stronger action. This move was already decided by local medical committees in March, unless the government created proper legal protections for GP partnerships and contracts.

The lengthy motion, which was fully approved, also rejected the 10-year plan in its current form. It demanded that no GP contracts should be transferred to hospital foundation trusts beyond those already handed over.

It also called for GP practices to get their funding and pay restored to 2004 levels.

Health secretary Wes Streeting addressed the meeting remotely stating that the government was looking for GPs to “step up” and lead new neighbourhood health services.