GPCE chair Katie Bramall-Stainer said: ‘Imposing such changes on general practice, ignoring our repeated warnings, will do the opposite of “bringing back the family doctor”.
‘But all is not lost – we still have time for Government to act and meet us halfway.
‘We’re exploring all our options right now. Hopefully we can find a resolution before we take it any further. I want to work with the Government and deliver an NHS that we can be even more proud of.’
Next steps in the re-opened dispute could include taking legal action to ensure that the most harmful aspects of the Government’s policy are reversed, though GPCE says the Government could avoid this by providing the relevant safeguards and clarity asked for.
There has been additional disquiet from GPs around the recommended in the Government’s flagship 10-Year Health Plan, which have been seen to have diluted the Government’s original written promise from March to agree a new GP practice contract.
GPCE entered dispute with the Conservative Government in March 2024, following the rejection of the 2025/26 general medical services contract changes by more than 99 per cent of members. The dispute was paused after an agreement was reached with the Labour Government. The development comes as new research from the Health Foundation found that the public’s top priority for the NHS is making it easier to get appointments at GP practices.
In a recent survey of grassroots doctors about the details in the 10-Year Health Plan, some 77 per cent of GP respondents said it would lead to a decrease in the continuity of patient care and more than 80 per cent said it would decrease the independence of general practice.