GPs collective action
Today, August 1st 2024, the British Medical Association announced that GPs across England have voted overwhelmingly (98.3%) in favour of taking collective action, in protest at the limited increase in funding for the 2024/5 contract for GP services in England and the general pressures that GPs face.
This means, from today, the Association will encourage practices to choose from a list of ten actions, and practices can choose to implement as few or as many as they think appropriate. The full list of actions can be found here.
NHSE issued a press release ‘asking the public to still come forward as usual’ and said practices were still required to be open 8am-6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
What does it mean?
- GP practices will remain open
- If you have an appointment, you should attend unless your GP practice contacts you directly.
- If you need an appointment with a GP or a member of your practice team, you should contact your GP practice first.
- Your GP practice will be able to explain the impact on you and what you need to do
Patients should continue to use 111 for urgent medical help when their GP practice is unavailable and if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency call 999.
We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information on the specifics in Richmond upon Thames borough.
If you have any anonymous feedback you would like to share about this situation, click here.
