Responding to the Government’s update1 on discussions around the GP contract for England, and the announcement of £889m funding uplift for general practice in England next year, BMA GP committee England (GPC England) chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer said:
"GP practices across the country have been frantic with worry around the impact of the crippling rise in national insurance contributions from April. The BMA has shared data with Government to make clear just how grave the situation is, with practices drafting redundancy notices, and in some cases facing closure.
"England’s GPs have been urgently waiting for a clear commitment from Government to provide assurance around increased business costs, as well as a change in direction away from the previous Government’s three consecutive years of contractual imposition which led to the profession taking historic steps of embarking upon the BMA’s Collective Action campaign, which has been gathering pace through the Autumn.
“Hopefully today’s news provides an important lifeline for our 6,000+ practices, and we are committed to reaching consensus around the management of the additional business pressures that practices will face in the new financial year and we look forward to seeing the detail in due course.
“We hope that today’s funding announcement will be looked back on as a positive starting point for an evolving conversation. We eagerly await details regarding the Government’s proposals, which come on the back of GPC England setting out exactly what is needed to rebuild sufficient GP capacity to meet patient need to deliver robust GP recruitment and retention; no further NHS GP practice closures; and an end to the crazy situation where GPs are desperately looking for work - at the same time patients are struggling to secure an appointment with a GP.”
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Notes to editors
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.
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