Government and Doctors' Union Clash Over Online GP Access
A significant dispute has erupted between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA) following a motion passed by GPs to resist new online access requirements for surgeries. Health and Care Minister Stephen Kinnock has launched a fierce attack, accusing BMA leaders of being "determined to turn their organisation into a farce".
This criticism comes despite Mr Kinnock's assertion that the government desires to "work constructively with the BMA". He warned that the motion passed by grassroots doctors "will put patient safety at risk at a critical time ahead of winter."
What Are the New Online Access Rules?
Since October 1, GP surgeries in England have been mandated to keep their online consultation platforms open throughout their working hours. This system is designed for non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries, and administrative requests.
However, during the England LMC (local medical committee) conference on Friday, a motion was passed demanding the removal of these requirements. The motion insisted that online consultations should be curtailed once safe working limits are reached.
The motion condemned the government's changes as "a cynical political stunt that is unfunded, unsafe and knowingly undeliverable in the context of current workforce collapse". It further called on the BMA's GP committee for England to "prepare options for action", including non-compliance with the mandates, if the government refuses to revise them.
A Deepening Rift Between Labour and the BMA
Hitting back at the union, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock stated: "We've always been clear that we want to work constructively with the BMA – but they stand resolutely in the way of changes vital for patient care, and for the progress their members want to see too."
He defended the government's record, adding: "It's ludicrous to say the government has betrayed general practice – we have placed GPs at the heart of our 10 year health plan, provided a funding boost of £1.1bn, recruited 2,500 more GPs and cut red tape."
This clash over GP online access is part of a wider, increasingly fractious relationship between Labour and the BMA. A separate pay dispute with resident doctors is also ongoing, with the union claiming their wages are 20 per cent lower in real terms than in 2008.
The BMA argues that the new online access mandates, which apply to core hours of 8am to 6.30pm, "reduce care to box-ticking targets and put patients at risk". They maintain that practices must remain flexible to provide access suited to their patients' needs.
Family doctors have reported serious safety concerns, with patients submitting requests about life-threatening conditions like difficulty breathing and severe vomiting on non-urgent forms. A poll of 431 GPs and practice managers found that 67 per cent are concerned about patient safety since the mandates were introduced.
The union contends that necessary safeguards have not been implemented and no additional staff have been hired to manage the increased volume of online requests, potentially risking patient safety as staff struggle to identify the most urgent cases.
A 'Gulf' Between Clinicians and Government
Dr Tom Dolphin, the BMA council chairman, highlighted the growing divide. In a statement, he said: "What is clear, however, is that with four major groups of doctors in dispute with the government in England, there is a gulf between the experiences of the expert clinicians providing care day-in, day-out to patients... and those making the decisions in Whitehall."
He emphasised the frustration of GPs working "at the coalface of general practice" and reiterated the union's desire to collaborate with the government to resolve the disputes for the benefit of all. He stated that collaboration "must be built on trust and done through real, frank and direct engagement."
As winter approaches, this deepening conflict over the future of GP online access and working conditions sets the stage for a challenging period for the NHS and patient care in England.
