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Dr Buckman’s letter to GPs

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Government is consulting on changes to the GP contact in England for 2013-2014. As you may already know, this follows an announcement by Government at the end of last year to impose changes in the absence of a negotiated agreement.

We are writing to you now with all the detail and analysis of what the changes could mean for your practice workload, your practice finances and your clinical work.

It is important you take the time to read through the information we have provided to help you understand the impact this may have on your practice.

What should I do now?

  • Read our step-by-step guide setting out all the detail you need to assess how the changes could affect you, an explanation of how these changes came about and an analysis of what they mean.
  • Use our ready reckoner to estimate how much your practice funding will be affected by the QOF proposals.
  • Attend a roadshow. Events are taking place around the country giving members the opportunity to ask questions about the changes.

Get all these details on the website at:
www.bma.org.uk/gpcontract

What will happen next?

We have made it clear to the Government that their approach to contractual changes is unacceptable and that there will be significant consequences resulting from their proposals. The BMA, and other interested parties, have until 26 February 2013 to respond to the consultation in detail.  

We need your views to help shape the BMA’s response. In the next few days, you will receive a survey by email asking for your views on the government’s proposals.

You can also respond directly to the consultation. The Department of Health has not set up a specific email address for responses, but you can use their online contact form.  Or write to Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS.

Please copy us into any correspondence sent in response to the consultation by email to info.gpc@bma.org.uk

With your help, we will seek to ensure that GPs get their voice heard by ministers about what these changes mean in reality for GPs, their practices and their patients. We sincerely hope that this will be a genuine consultation and that ministers will revise their plans in light of the profession’s concerns.

Yours sincerely
Laurence Buckman