In the wake of the successful industrial action taken by Junior Doctors, resulting in a 22% pay offer from the new Labour government, GP’ have voted to take action over the 1.9% increase in practice budgets.
GPs have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over funding for surgeries, for the first time in 60 years.
Family doctors in England voted for industrial action starting today, with 98.3 per cent voting in favour.
Nottingham and Notts Keep Our NHS Public say this will be a real-terms cut and follows the news that 8,000 qualified GPs are currently unable to find a job after completing their studies. Labour criticised the previous government during the election campaign for starving the NHS of funds, but are now at risk of doing the same themselves.
Each practice will decide for itself what action to take, so it isn’t yet clear how people in Nottingham and Notts will be affected – but it‘s inevitable that there will be serious disruption to GP services, including further restrictions on appointments.
Mike Scott (Chair, Nottingham/Notts Keep Our NHS Public) said:
GPs are the front line of the NHS and few people are old enough to remember the last time they took industrial action.
By its nature, action is designed to be disruptive, but it’s important that people are aware why it’s become necessary.
GPs know how important they are to all of us, but have suffered the same sort of under-funding as the rest of the NHS for the last 15 years. The new government must commit to finding the money to support primary care – warm words are not enough.
Settling with the Junior Doctors while ignoring GPs and other NHS staff is not an option. Healthcare is a team game and everyone deserves recognition and fair pay.
Our newly-elected MP’s need to put pressure on the government to resolve this dispute as soon as possible.”
• Tour of Britain Stage 4 Nottinghamshire route map released
