Dear Patients,

We want to keep you informed about the recent announcement of Collective Action proposed by the British Medical Association (BMA). This action is in response to the ongoing and proposed funding levels for Primary Care GP Practices, which are impacting our ability to provide safe and effective care to you, our valued patients.

 What is the GP industrial action?

The GP industrial action is a collective effort to address the challenges faced by general practice, including the need for a new contract that provides the investment and workforce needed to reset general practice. By taking these steps, we aim to maintain the quality of care and ensure the sustainability of our services.

For more info please visit GP contract 2024/25 changes (bma.org.uk)

Why Is This Happening?

General Practice appointments significantly outnumber those in other areas of the NHS, yet only 8.4% of the NHS Budget is allocated to GP Practices. Our practice is under extreme financial and workload pressures, and we fully support the BMA's campaign for fairer funding. This is crucial to prevent further practice closures and to retain our dedicated GPs.

What Changes Are Taking Place?

• Appointment Duration: We will be moving to longer appointments for all patients. This change is designed to ensure that each patient receives the attention they need while allowing us to manage our workload effectively. However, this does mean that there may be less availability for appointments in the short term. 
• No Double Appointments: During this period, we will not be booking double appointments. This measure is necessary to accommodate as many patients as possible within our current capacity.

Although the collective action officially started on 1 August, our practice has decided not to take immediate action. We plan to implement any changes to our appointment processes in line with the Collective (Industrial) action starting in September, allowing time for discussions. As independent contractors delivering patient care to the NHS. Any actions taken will align with the BMA's suggested actions.

How Can You Support Us?

• Understanding and Patience: We kindly ask for your understanding and patience as we navigate these changes. Your support is invaluable to us during this time. If you are affected by any Collective Action, please accept our apologies. Rest assured, any action taken is not done lightly, and we always prioritise patient care.
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on our updates for any further changes or information.
• Spread the Word: Share this message with friends and family to help us reach as many patients as possible.

How We Support You?

We are committed to maintaining the highest standard of care and will continue to put your needs at the forefront of what we do. However, Primary Care cannot continue to undertake extra work without appropriate resources, especially as our workload increases due to an ageing and growing population, alongside rising costs.

Where Else to Go for Help?

For non-emergency health needs, you can use 111 online. Please reserve 999 for serious or life-threatening emergencies only. More information on when to call 999 or visit A&E can be found on the NHS UK website https://www.nhs.uk/.

Local pharmacies are also an excellent resource. Under the Pharmacy First scheme, they can offer advice, treatment, and prescription medicine for a range of conditions, including:

• Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
• Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
• Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
• Shingles (aged 18 years and over)
• Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
• Sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• Urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64 years)

If you visit a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will provide advice, treatment, or refer you to a GP or another healthcare professional if necessary.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Together, we can work towards a better future for general practice and patient care.