GPs have been urged to send a template letter prepared by the BMA to their primary care organisation if they are taking part in industrial action on 21 June
The letter reminds managers that the BMA's decision to call a day of action reflects how let down doctors feel by the Governments' unwillingness to find a fairer approach to their proposed pension reforms.
It sets out the reasons for the industrial action and contains alternative paragraphs detailing the action for practices where all GPs are participating and for those where some GPs are participating.
It says: ‘The practice will be open for the same hours as normal and all GPs will attend work as usual.
‘Any patient who is or believes themselves to be in need of urgent or emergency care from a GP or nurse will be seen.
‘However, routine appointments will not be available from participating GPs on the day and they will not be undertaking clinical or administrative work that can safely be postponed.'
For practices where not all GPs will be participating, it adds: ‘Those GPs not participating in this action will be working as normal.'
The letter adds: ‘As ever, patient safety is our foremost priority. We will ensure that our GPs' action and the arrangements we have put into place are well publicised to our patients using posters, leaflets and our practice website.'
In his instructions to practices accompanying the template letter, GPC chair Dr Laurence Buckman said: ‘We recommend that practices discuss and if possible agree the extent of the service to be provided on the days in question with their PCO.'
'To begin that process, practices should send a letter of notification to their PCO setting out their intention to participate.'
The checklist reminds GPs to send copies of the completed letter to the GPC and to their LMC.
Click here to download the template letter
