‘No current plans’ to ballot GPs in online access dispute, says BMA GP leader

The BMA’s GP Committee chair has told The Times that there are ‘no current plans’ to ballot England’s GP members in the ongoing dispute with the Government over online access changes.

Dr Katie Bramall also wrote to ministers yesterday to ask them to return to negotiations.

This comes despite the England LMC Conference earlier this month backing a number of motions to escalate the dispute, including potential full-day walkouts, undated resignations and refusing online access compliance.

And a number of GPC England members and LMC leaders have reached out to Pulse to question whether the suggestion that no ballot is imminent was against conference policy.

Pulse reported last week that the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England had cancelled all meetings with the BMA’s GP Committee following the LMC conference.

And the Times article quotes primary care minister Stephen Kinnock as saying negotiations will not resume until the BMA ends the dispute over online access – which all GP practices in England are contractually required to provide through core hours since 1 October.

Mr Kinnock reiterates that as far as the Government is concerned, the BMA’s GP Committee agreed to the changes – a claim Dr Katie Bramall has vehemently denied, despite the DHSC apparently producing ‘evidence’ to the contrary earlier this month.

Mr Kinnock told the Times: ‘We are open to removing any technical or technological barrier that there might be [but] the first step has to be [to] accept what was agreed in February … then we can have a proper conversation.

‘What we can’t do is have a productive and constructive conversation with an organisation that is trying to … hold us to ransom around collective action. Until that [threat] has been withdrawn, it’s not really possible for us to have a constructive conversation about where we are now.’

Responding to the Times, Dr Bramall referenced the BMA’s poll in which over half of GPs reported seeing ‘a negative effect on patient care’ due to the new online access requirements, and 42% of practices having to cut face-to-face appointments as a result.

‘We would be more than happy to sit down and discuss these findings with the minister,’ she said.

And she added: ‘Our advice remains unchanged. Practices across England must comply with the recent changes to the GP contract. There are currently no plans to ballot members and so no impediment to meeting with [Kinnock] as soon as possible.’

Pulse further understands that there are as yet no motions tabled for next week’s GPCE meeting regarding an indicative ballot of members to take the dispute further.

Although motions can still be added to the agenda, which was shared with members yesterday, some members expressed frustration at the lack of forward movement.

A number further questioned whether not currently planning an indicative ballot was against conference policy – specifically emergency motion 260, that was passed, calling for ‘a clear timeline be set for an indicative ballot of the profession’ on a range of actions.

One GPCE member told Pulse: ‘I am absolutely appalled, as will conference be I’m sure, given motion 260 that passed which was definitely a plan to get going with an indicative ballot. I am aware that lots of GPCE members wanted to ballot the profession months ago, so I’m sure my feelings are shared.’

On the lack of motions on the GPCE agenda, they added: ‘The committee shouldn’t have to wait for the agenda to come out and then put in last minute motions in order to progress something as basic as this. What are we doing in dispute if GPCE isn’t even discussing an indicative ballot on its agenda?’

Another GPCE member said: ‘It comes as quite a shock to hear that the GPC chair “has no plans” to ballot the profession. We have, apparently, been in dispute now for two months – constituent GPs on the ground will likely be wondering why on earth there is still no plan.’

An LMC director who is not a GPCE member said: ‘This is more evidence that the GPCE executive’s strategy has failed, and has left us in a significantly worse position than 12 months ago – and that they have run out of ideas on what to do next.

‘GPs are confused as it appears that the GPC executive both agreed and didn’t agree a contract, and are moving towards industrial action whilst simultaneously not moving towards industrial action. GPC exec called for unity at conference, but without a meaningful strategy to unite behind and no open communications with NHSE/DHSC they are flailing around without an actual plan.’

A BMA spokesperson said: ‘Resolutions from England’s LMC conference now pass to GPC England to review and inform the committee’s strategic delivery and policy decisions.

‘Conference has requested a clear timeline on seeking engagement and clarity from the wider profession through to commencing formal ballots. The BMA as a trade union is legally obliged to follow due process in this regard as per TULRCA legislation.

‘Whilst there are at present no active plans to formally ballot GP BMA members, GPCE meets next week to discuss the resolutions from Conference, and the committee is continuing to explore all options.’

Meanwhile, in a letter to Mr Kinnock sent yesterday, Dr Bramall wrote: ‘We absolutely refute your claim that there was any intention to misrepresent the position of government. The outstanding questions … regarding what, if any, attempt DHSC/NHSE made to ensure implementation of necessary safeguards, including contacting GP system online consultation tool providers, remain unanswered.’

She added: ‘It is clear that there are difficult and uncomfortable conversations to be had, but they must take place in order to reach an outcome which will ensure the best possible future for general practice to meet the needs of patients across the country. I hope that you will reconsider your position and agree to meet at your earliest convenience.’

Pulse has asked the Department of Health and Social Care for a comment on their ongoing review of their relationship with the BMA.