Preparations for GP industrial action are ‘disappointing’ ahead of the pay review body’s funding recommendation, the Department of Health and Social Care has said.
Yesterday, Pulse revealed that the BMA is working to a ‘timeline’ for preparations which would see industrial action announced in October and commencing in late November – aimed at coinciding with the general election.
However, in response, the DHSC pointed to the ongoing work being carried out by the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB), whose recommendation will impact the final GP funding uplift for 2024/25.
A DHSC spokesperson said: ‘GPs and their teams are at the heart of our communities, and we hugely value their vital work.
‘We have listened to feedback from general practice and the new contract will reduce unnecessary and burdensome bureaucracy.
‘This will free up capacity so they can spend more valuable time with their patients, whilst also giving them greater autonomy to run local practices.
‘It would therefore be disappointing if the BMA is considering industrial action in advance of the recommendation from the pay review body.’
The 2024/25 GP contract included a funding increase of just over 2% but the Government has said it will reconsider its funding uplift offer once the DDRB recommendation is made in ‘the coming months’.
BMA GP industrial action depends on the outcome of a referendum on the new GP contract which will run from tomorrow to 27 March, and on the GPCE requesting permission in July from BMA UK Council to approve options for prospective industrial action.
The 2024/25 GP contract round is the first time in five years that the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) has been asked to give a recommendation on GP partner pay.
And the GPC has been allowed to submit evidence despite BMA policy to withdraw from the process.
NHS England announced changes to GP contractual arrangements for 2024/25 last week, as part of its third contract imposition.
However it was not well-received, with the BMA calling it ‘an ideological dismantling of NHS general practice’ and warning that the GP business model is ‘now non-viable’.
NHS England’s national director of primary care Dr Amanda Doyle went as far as admitting that the changes for 2024/25 will ‘only make a tiny difference’ to practices.
If DHSC accept that current contract contains “burdensome and unnecessary beurocracy” why did they enforce it on us in the first place.
DDRB should be recommending pay settlements prior to the financial year starting what is the point of doing it months after by then many practices will be significantly hit by the 10% minimal wage increase to staff and I think will lead to cuts in service provision and possible more practices handing back their contracts.
and what is the point of striking 8 months down the line it should happen more quicker.
DHSC know fullwell that the GP contract negotiations (recently imposed) control GP practice income. The DDRB only have input to salaried Doctors inc Hosp. If they decide to award salaried GPs almost any award -this won’t be affordable. The GP contract has to come first -they have chosen to walk away.
Irrelevant what the DDRB have to say as this may well be disappointing too. Perhaps DHSC should be renamed the DDHSC 🤔
When HMG calls election in May instead of November, the outwitted BMA will be caught with its trousers down, again. Slow action looks the same as no action.
DHSC and NHSE aim to create unnecessary burden and bureaucracy. They also contradict themselves, but actions speak louder than empty words. Example being their roll out of A&G, which doubles the workload clinically and administratively. They are trying to dismantle General practice. Hypocracy – the meaningless words they say about autonomy and continuity of care, followed by actions that promote the opposite.
A DHSC spokesperson said: ‘GPs and their teams are at the heart of our communities, and we hugely value their vital work.
I think GPs only in this statement and they speak as if they did not know it will happen ! GPs are not core for these guys and they should also know that they are also not our plan.. DHSE is responsible for all this mess vreation and we should actively disengage ourselves with their diktats.