NHS GPs to take industrial action for first time in 60 years in bitter row over pay and working conditions
NHS GPs have voted to take industrial action for the first time in decades in a row over pay and working conditions.
Members of the British Medical Association landed 98 per cent in favour of the protest.
They will not walk out in a full strike but can pick from a list of 10 ways to work less.
BMA leaders said family doctors are “at the end of their tether”.
Forms of industrial action might include capping the number of daily appointments, refusing to do overtime, or refusing to sign paperwork like prescriptions or sick notes.
GPs say they are not being paid enough and are overworked because there is not enough cash to hire new doctors.
This is an act of desperation - practices are struggling to keep the lights on
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer
Dozens of practices are closing for good each year as staff burn out.
In a ballot that closed on Monday, 8,518 out of 12,590 BMA members voted and 98.3 per cent voted yes to industrial action.
Doctors said the protest would be a “slow burn” and strain on other parts of the NHS will build up over weeks or months.
It will likely mean patients face longer waits for care.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of BMA's GP committee, said: “We had a huge response to this ballot, and the results are clear – GPs are at the end of their tether.
“This is an act of desperation.
“For too long, we’ve been unable to provide the care we want to and the era of the family doctor has been wiped out by recent Governments and our patients are suffering as a result.
“Practices are now struggling to keep the lights on, can’t afford to hire much needed GPs and other staff, and some have even closed for good.
“General practice should be the front door of the NHS, not the doormat.”