‘Breaking and exhausted’: England’s general practitioners vote for industrial strike | the doctors

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GPs in England have voted to take limited forms of industrial strike in protest of the government’s effort to force them to see patients face to face.

The findings led the new profession leader to warn ministers that “frustrated, broken and exhausted” family doctors might refuse to perform some normal duties to show their anger.

Four in five (80%) of GPs who voted in a guide poll organized by the British Medical Association supported withholding information on how appointments were made, to thwart the government’s “naming and shame” scheme for surgeries that see too few patients in person.

More than (84%) indicated their willingness to refuse to comply with the issuance of Covid-19 exemption certificates, which may be needed by those who have not received vaccination for medical reasons, for example, to work in a nursing home, where vaccination of employees is mandatory.

The results of the indicative poll show that the profession has had enough. “Relationships are broken and trust has been lost,” said Dr. Farah Jameel, the new chair of the GP Committee (GPC) at the BMA.

“Ultimately we don’t want to take action – we want to see action,” she added in an appeal to Health Minister Sajid Javid, to do more to reduce GPs’ huge workloads.

Each of the 5,144 GPs had a vote in England where the partner is a member of the BMA. However, only 1,798 people participated – with a response rate of 35% – which may indicate a reluctance to take industrial action.

A small majority (58%) said they would support the withdrawal of GP practices from the enhanced service directed to the local primary care network, which could mean reduced visits to nursing homes, for example.

“Every day we go from applause to vilification, these sentiments are fueled by biased media coverage, divisive politics and divisive politics,” said Jamil, a GP in north London.

She said she hoped her election last week would “reset” the GPC’s currently fraught relationship with Jawed. However, it is understood that there is not yet a plan for her to meet with Javid or any other health minister to discuss how to resolve the impasse over the GP’s arrival.

Hopes for a decision were raised last week when Javid postponed plans for next year to force GPs who earn at least £150,000 a year from the NHS to disclose their earnings.

The Ministry of Health and Social Care has been contacted for a response.

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