Scottish GPs threaten industrial action if they do not accept final funding offer

Credit: Getty Images/sturti

By Daniel Pye

Scottish GPs are threatening industrial action after warning they will ballot members if the government's final funding offer is rejected.

The BMA in Scotland has received an offer from Holyrood, which would end the dispute if accepted or otherwise could lead to strikes.

The union's Scottish general practice committee (SGPC) has been in dispute with the Scottish government since June this year over funding.

It argues £290 million of extra funding – around 1% of the NHS budget in Scotland – is required to deliver full funding restoration.

In a latest update, the BMA SGPC have said they received an offer on 29 September, 1 day before their deadline for an undisclosed sum.

The offer will be brought to the next SGPC meeting scheduled for 23 October, but in the update to members the committee said it would also prepare for a ballot in November in case it does not accept the offer.

“Whatever path we take, the time has come for the profession to show a united front and insist that enough is enough,” Dr Iain Morrison, chair of the BMA SGPC, wrote in a joint statement with deputy chairs Dr Chris Black and Dr Al Miles.

“We are seeing record levels of demand coupled with further promises of more workload shift into the community and yet GP practices are reducing sessions and staffing levels due to unprecedented cost pressures.

“This is completely unsustainable,” they added.

The SGPC argues the government needs to address a £290 million shortfall for GP practices to employ more doctors at a time of high demand.

“If required, we must be clear in our message to government that we are willing to take a stand now to protect the future service to our patients and communities,” they said.

Previously the health secretary Neil Gray said the devolved government “values greatly the work of general practice”.

“The BMA entering into formal dispute with us will not affect the care patients receive,” Gray said.

The Scottish government has been approached for comment.

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