This is not the first time a Labour government has tried to set a target for immediate access. In 2000, a 48-hour target was set, but by the 2005 election campaign it was causing controversy, with patients complaining that they could not book an appointment in advance because so many were being held back for quick bookings.
The BMA’s GPs committee chair, Dr Katie Bramall, said the government was at risk of creating “unrealistic expectations”, pointing out GP services were already stretched.
While the number of GPs working in the NHS has been increasing over the last year or so, the number of patients per GP is still a fifth higher than it was eight years ago.
And Office for National Statistics surveys shows only one in five patients believe services have got better in the past year. The majority say they have neither improved or got worse.
Dr Bramall said the BMA had not had an opportunity to negotiate with the government about the changes.
Its GPs committee is due to meet on Thursday to decide whether it should challenge the imposition of the contract.
Chris McCann, of the patient watchdog Healthwatch England, said: “The new contract will be welcome news for people who have struggled to access GP services.
“Plans to recruit more doctors should make it easier for patients to get appointments and ensure urgent cases are handled more quickly.
“People consistently tell us that GP services are becoming harder to use and that simply getting through the door for care can be a challenge.”