#GPnews: Junior doctors set for rolling strikes

14:20 Elsewhere today, an investigation by the Sun has found that the number of GP practices across the country trying to stop taking on new patients has doubled in the last year. 

175 GP practices claimed they were ‘too full’ to take on new patients in 2015-16, the Sun reports, up from 77 in the previous year, according to new figures from NHS England.

Dr Chand Nagpaul, chair of the GPC, told the Sun: ‘GP practices are being overwhelmed by a toxic combination of rocketing demand for appointments, falling budgets and staff shortages.

‘We need the government to urgently act on its promises and provide GP services with the staff and funds they desperately need.’

11:35 Dr Krishna Kasaraneni, chair of the GPC’s GP trainees subcommittee, commented earlier on Pulse’s story that medicine degrees will be offered through clearing ‘for the first time ever’ – highlighting the contrast of when he applied to study medicine 20 years ago to the situation now. 

Nearly 20 years I applied to study medicine along with many thousands, only a handful of us made it! Now this: pic.twitter.com/i8QexmiOSq

— Krishna Kasaraneni (@Dr_Kasaraneni) August 12, 2016

9:30 The BMA’s Junior Doctors Committee has voted to reject the contract imposition by health secretary Jeremy Hunt and consider rolling industrial action, its leader has announced.

In a post on Twitter, JDC chair Dr Ellen McCourt said its executive had voted to reject the new contract as a whole, and has called for a special meeting of BMA Council to discuss potential rolling industrial action. 

The previous JDC Executive had agreed the current contract with the Government, but it was rejected by the rest of the membership in a ballot.

The road ahead will not be easy,by standing together we speak with one voice,our unity remains our strength @TheBMApic.twitter.com/DAuXhf5fjS

— #hellomynameisEllen (@McCourtEllen) August 11, 2016