The BMA’s GP Committee for England is developing a minimum per-patient funding request to add to demands in upcoming GP contract negotiations.
The figure could be used as ‘basis for dispute’ to trigger industrial action if the Government fails to meet the demand.
The GPC is now seeking actuarial support to determine the figure, which needs to be a ‘significant’ increase on the current 57p per patient per day.
An update to members following last week’s GPCE meeting said: ‘The Committee discussed developing a pounds per patient ask to add to the Call to Action. Practices currently receive about 57 pence per patient per day to provide GP services.
‘The Committee believe that with increased workload and demand in general practice this should be significantly increased, and that practices cannot provide safe patient care with this level of investment.
‘The Committee agreed to develop this demand and shall be seeking actuarial support to identify an appropriate figure which, if not met, could be the basis for a dispute with government.’
The note, undersigned deputy chair Dr Richard van Maellerts, also said that GPCE has developed draft heads of terms for contract reform negotiations with NHS England, in a bid to be the party that sets the agenda.
These are based on GPCE’s recent ‘call to action’ document, which notably included a demand for QOF, IIF and PCN DES monies to all be moved into one simplified core general practice funding stream, with the PCN DES scrapped in its entirety.
However, upon reviewing the proposed heads of terms some committee members called for them to be ‘more radical’, including a ‘specific call for there to be protection for core funding in the independent contractor model’.
‘The feedback received will inform the further development of these heads of terms,’ the update said.
Last week’s GPCE meeting controversially saw a motion passed to remove elected chair Dr Farah Jameel on the basis of having no confidence in her leadership.
A petition to withdraw the decision on discrimination grounds has now received almost 700 signatures, however the BMA has said it is ‘satisfied’ that the removal is lawful.
The meeting also revealed that the union is seeking grassroots GPs to ‘galvanise solidarity’ within the profession over industrial action.
I would prefer GPC campaign on more radical solutions such as allowing providers to charge top up fees on top of the NHS allowance, with due notice.
There is no real reason that, having had it taken away many times by tax, that someone shouldn’t have the right to use that allowance when ill towards care that they can contribute to.
The current situation crowds out all other price points for care apart from the very high cost.
we get 57p/patient/day? Not at my practice we don’t. Or are you including money the ICB as well?
Presumably this is 57p / weekday. I instinctively think any organisation that talks about £/day is being deliberately disingenuous.
Please tell me how you arrive 57 p per patient. Over £200 per patient!! .
Its £200 per patient per year. Thats if your lucky meet Qof etc
That is about 55p a day
£200/day is arguably not enough
£200/year typo..
With the dramatic increase in consultation rate per annum / patient , the traditional independent contractor model requires significant overhaul . The government clearly know they are getting very good value for money and if they had to pay a realistic rate /consultation would be faced with serious consequences. Our younger colleagues are increasingly choosing salaried models because they can clearly define their workload and obtain a realistic remuneration
Damn right Andrew D