Doctorsvote in favor of engaging in a disagreement with the Government over mandated online patient scheduling demands
In a significant development, GPs in England have voted to enter a dispute with the Government over upcoming contract changes, marking the latest industrial health dispute in recent months. The dispute, involving the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, is set to commence on October 1.
The reforms, scheduled to come into effect in October, aim to free up phone lines for urgent inquiries and end the 8am rush to schedule appointments over the phone. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed concerns about the proposed online systems, which will require surgeries to allow patients to request appointments online.
The BMA is particularly concerned about the lack of safety measures in the proposed online systems. They believe that the systems are not able to distinguish between non-urgent and urgent patient inquiries, potentially leading to serious problems being missed. Dr Katie Bramall, Committee chairwoman, shared this concern, stating that the Government is prepared to risk patient safety, practice workforce wellbeing, and GP retention by implementing the contract changes.
Dr Bramall, however, is not disheartened and believes that all is not lost. She expressed a desire to work with the Government in delivering a safe NHS. The BMA's GP Committee will first consider whether any action could be taken to challenge the lawfulness of the Government's position on safety measures in the proposed online systems.
In February, Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed the new contract for GPs as a 'breakthrough moment'. He believed that the reform would deliver online access appointment booking for patients nationwide, bringing the NHS into the 21st century. However, the BMA's concerns about unlimited online requests stretching the GP workforce remain unaddressed.
The BMA is also considering challenging the lawfulness of the Government's position on safety measures in the proposed online systems. The five-day walkout by resident doctors in July serves as a reminder of the potential impact of such disputes on the healthcare system.
Dr Bramall emphasised the importance of addressing these concerns, stating that the Government still has time to meet GPs halfway and ensure the safety and wellbeing of both patients and practitioners. The upcoming dispute promises to be a significant test of the Government's commitment to its healthcare workforce and the NHS as a whole.
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