One third of GPs and practice managers willing to close for a day in protest at access reforms

Exclusive A third of GPs and practice managers have indicated they would be willing to close for a day in protest at new requirements that enforce them to switch on online access throughout routine hours, a new Pulse and Management in Practice survey has revealed.

The survey of 431 GPs and practice managers found that 34% would be willing to close for a day in protest at changes brought in on 1 October, which require practices to ensure online requests can be submitted between 8am to 6.30pm.

And 48% said they would be willing to redirect patients to A&E as part of collective action, while 28% say they would be willing to stop online consultations completely.

Pulse recently reported that GPs were warning the new requirements risk compromising patient safety, with patients reporting breathing difficulties, severe vomiting, acute abdominal and chest pain, and rectal bleeding through online forms.

The survey also revealed that GP practices are spending time equivalent to more than 200,000 appointments a week implementing the changes, which is increasing waiting times for patients and working hours for staff as a result. The changes were put in place as part of the 2025/26 GP contract.

The BMA has formally entered a dispute with the Government over the changes and GP leaders recently voted in favour of refusing to engage with the requirements as part of collective action against the Government.

And earlier this month GP leaders also voted in favour of escalating the dispute, demanding new forms of action, including ‘full-day walkouts’.

One GP told Pulse: ‘I have been very much “testing the grounds” with my patients asking what they thought. The latest changes have not [been met with] with positivity as far as I can see and hear. I cannot recall a single patient who came to me pleased by the digital interface.

‘Any form of collective action would be sensible. I cannot see any patient who is actually happy with the way things are going.’

Others responding to the survey said the system was ‘a joke’ as increased online access has meant patients ‘are sending in trivial requests sometimes twice a day’. One GP added: ‘It also means one clinician every session has to be allocated solely to triage. We are even getting queries when patients are abroad, and they get upset if we cannot answer them.’

Another GP said: ‘I feel extremely strongly that this new contract is detrimental to patient safety and clinician workload that I would be prepared to participate in industrial action. 

‘After 20 years as a GP loving her job I am seriously considering my future in NHS general practice as I do not find this new contract sustainable nor safe.’

One practice manager said: ‘We would consider all options if needed. We have found that turning the system off doesn’t help us, it just creates a problem on the phones or at reception instead.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘This data only represents a very small minority of GP practices and is not reflective of the national picture.

‘The majority of GPs have rolled out online access successfully – a service which patients want and rightly expect in the 21^st century, and we are supporting the remaining practices in getting this up and running through guidance and seminars.

‘The latest escalation by the BMA GPCE is founded on untruths with any further action putting patient safety at risk at a critical time ahead of winter.

‘We are supporting GPs by providing a funding boost of £1.1 billion, recruiting 2,500 more GPs and cutting red tape, as well as launching a review into the distribution of GP funding – and have placed them at the heart of our 10 Year Health Plan.’

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