Are QEMP GPs/The Practice on strike?
Many of you will have read the headlines and heard on the news recently that ‘GPs are striking’
The headlines, as is often the case, are not quite right
GP partners/contractors in England have voted overwhelmingly in favour of collective action against the current GP contract imposed against us which is under-funded, unsafe and unworkable. This situation has caused hundreds of practices to close nationally, including in Cambridge. Seven in ten eligible members voted in the non-statutory ballot, with an overwhelming 98.3% of members voting yes, indicating that they are willing to take Industrial Action to save general practice. QEMP partners were included in those voting 'yes'
However, this is not 'strike' action - the GPs won't be walking out and refusing to work. Instead the BMA has put together a list of 10 suggested actions that practices could take. Individual practices can use their discretion on which actions they take and this may vary.
One of the actions that has been well publicised in the press is a measure to limit patient contacts to 25 per GP per day as part of safer working guidelines. We will continue to respond to clinical emergencies but do aim to cap our numbers on the day to safe levels. This means that it is possible you will be directed to other commissioned services that can help you if you contact the practice and we have exceeded our safe working capacity for that day.
More information is available on our website, in the waiting area and on the BMA website:
https://www.bma.org.uk/GPsOnYourSide
We hope you will support us in these actions to ensure the viability of General Practice and QEMP going forward.
GP Partners
Queen Edith Medical Practice
August 2024
