National Collective Action – What you need to know
‘We are taking part in the national collective action; we will continue to provide safe levels of clinical care for our patients.’
Dear Patients
We wanted to give you an update in relation to our decision to support the National Collective Action being taken by GP practices across the country.
For clarity we are NOT striking nor are we taking Industrial Action!
We can assure you that this is a collective response to ever increasing demands and pressures placed on primary care. With inadequate funding to meet those demands.
We will continue to work within our GP contract however there will be some small changes to support the national collective action.
GPs Are on Your Side:
We’re taking this action because general practice is collapsing in England.
Practices are struggling to stay open, and patients are waiting far too long for an appointment.
This is because general practice isn’t getting nearly enough funding to handle demand.
It also means that many practices can’t afford to hire the extra GPs they need, like locums, trained GPs who want to see patients.
Currently (for 2024/25), only 6% of the overall NHS budget goes to core (guaranteed) funding for general practice.
This equates to just £107.57 per year for each patient, whatever their health needs. That’s less than the cost of an annual TV licence. Or, it equates to just 30p a day – less than the cost of an apple.
We need safety, stability, and hope. Safety now, stability in next year’s contract, and hope in long-term commitments to support our profession.
GPs and patients want the same thing: to be able to see their familiar family doctor quickly and easily, in a surgery that is safe, well-staffed and local to them.