GPs to begin capping appointments – ‘This is an act of desperation’
The British Medical Association (BMA) have announced an immediate work-to-rule action meaning GPs can cap appointments.
Since the pandemic the BMA have been campaigning for medical staff to receive better pay, although the government haven’t been so accepting. Against this backdrop, the union have now announced its members can limit appointments to 25 a day – some GPs seen more than 40 at times.
Following the ballot, 98% of GP members were found to agree with the decision. The union have claimed a lack of funding is putting practices at risk.
In addition to capping appointments, the BMA have suggested other measures GP’s could take to take the pressures off including refusing to carrying out tests and assessments for hospitals pre- or post-treatment.
‘GPs are at the end of their tether,’ said BMA GP leader Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer. ‘This is an act of desperation. For too long, we’ve been unable to provide the care we want to.’
She added: ‘We’re witnessing general practice being broken. The era of the family doctor has been wiped out by consecutive governments and our patients are suffering as a result.’
The BMA have claimed that none of the action will put GPs in breach of their contract as they are just given a lump sum to offer care with and aren’t directly employed by the NHS. However, one sector that could be majorly affected is A&E. As many as three million appointments could disappear as a result of the cap meaning more people are likely to go to hospital or walk-in clinic.
‘If all GPs implemented the patient cap, that could have a catastrophic effect on the entire healthcare system’, said Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation.
‘General practice is now supporting more patients than before the Covid pandemic, so any reduction in their activity will put more pressure on other services, including A&E.’
Health secretary, Wes Streeting has also expressed his appointment. He said: ‘I can totally understand why GPs would want to punish the previous Conservative government, but this action, if it goes ahead, will only punish patients.
‘The Conservatives already got their kicking at the general election and we now have a Labour government that’s really committed to working with GPs to rebuild general practice so that people can get a GP appointment when they need one.’
Image: Accuray
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