GPs in England will now have to decide what to do next after voting by a "overwhelming" majority against contract modifications proposed by the government.
Family physicians are "frustrated, angry, and upset" about proposed changes to the 2024–2025 contract for GP services, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
In the BMA vote, which attracted over 19,000 general practitioners and GP registrars, 99% of respondents said they would not accept the new service contract.
It was reported earlier this year that the BMA had established a rough schedule for possible industrial action by GP throughout the winter.
The BMA has said previously that the contract, set to come into force on April 1, would see practices given a “well below-inflation 1.9% baseline practice contract funding uplift”.
The doctors’ union has now warned that imposition of the contract would put practices at risk of closure as “many will struggle to stay financially viable”.
I’ve never known GPs to be so frustrated, angry and upset. We are unable to offer our patients the care they want and need.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer The BMA said 2,400 more GPs have joined the union since the beginning of February.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee for England, said: “The unanimity of the vote in our referendum demonstrates the depth of feeling among the profession.
“In 20 years, I’ve never known GPs to be so frustrated, angry and upset. We are unable to offer our patients the care they want and need.
“Today’s overwhelming result signals the start of our fight back, and we will bring our patients with us.
“GPC England meets today, to consider the profession’s next steps, in a move emboldened by 2,400 newly registered BMA GP members.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We hugely value the work of GPs and their teams and it is disappointing the BMA have voted against the contract.
“It will reduce bureaucracy so GPs can spend more time with patients and give them greater autonomy to run local practices. Further pay uplifts may be made to the contract following the Government’s response to the independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration.
“There are now 800 more doctors working in general practice compared to last February, and last year the NHS delivered 50 million more GP appointments than five years ago.”