Ballot on willingness to consider closing lists as industrial action
At May’s LMC conference the following motion by Tower Hamlets LMC was passed:
That conference believes that the GP Forward View is failing to deliver the resources necessary to sustain general practice and demands that GPC ballot GPs as to whether they would be prepared to collectively close their lists in response to this crisis.
The BMA have now given each practice until 10 August to submit a response as to their willingness to take part in collective list closures, they have asked that the partners in a practice submit a single, unified response to the question.
We strongly advise you to read the BMA’s FAQ (below) which explains what industrial action would entail and provide some legal advice. The BMA have issued further advice that the current ballot of willingness to take part in industrial action is just to take stock of the feeling among GP contract holders and a second ballot on actually taking industrial action would legally be required before any could go ahead.
- The BMA’s letter to practices can be downloaded here.
- The BMA’s FAQ on practice list closures can be download here.
- Dr Jackie Applebee, who proposed the conference motion, is among the GPs who have written this explainer of how the envision it working.
Any practices who have not yet received a ballot paper or have questions about the ballot should contact info.gpc@bma.org.uk.
Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive of Londonwide LMCs has called on practices to say they are willing to consider closing their lists, saying:
“Think about it – at this stage you’re only being asked about your willingness, a ‘yes’ vote will strengthen the BMA’s hand in looking after your interests in the current GP state of emergency.”
Last updated : 19 Jul 2017Patient Online November 2016 update (24 Nov 2016)
The contractual requirements for online access have expanded every year since the 2014/15 contract introduced patient online. Current contractual requirements mean that practices should now offer online booking of appointments,...Waltham Forest GP recognised for contribution to international mental health (23 Nov 2016)
The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) which represents over 550,000 doctors across 150 countries and territories has awarded the WONCA Fellowship to...Londonwide LMCs gains Investors in People Silver award (23 Nov 2016)
On 11 October we were assessed for our Investors in People Silver award, we met the accreditation standards and received confirmation of the award at the start of November. The...Guest blog - Managing COPD with Dr Azhar Saleem (16 Nov 2016)
Dr Azhar Saleem is a sessional GP with an interest in respiratory medicine. He is co-lead of RightBreathe, an inhaler prescribing tool for clinicians and patients. He is currently the...New Patient Online toolkit for GP practices (20 Oct 2016)
The Patient Online (POL) programme has released a toolkit to help GP practices promote online services to patients, specifically ordering repeat prescriptions, booking appointments and viewing medical records. The toolkit...Practice mergers guidance (20 Oct 2016)
More practices are choosing to merge as a way of meeting the workforce and financial challenges that GPs face. We have produced a new guide to help practices through this...October 2016 newsletter (20 Oct 2016)
Staying up to date (19 Oct 2016)
In order to keep you and your practice colleagues up to date with news and developments in primary care, as well as being able to access practical support and advice,...Don’t forget to access our State of Emergency resources (19 Oct 2016)
Earlier this year GPs in London and across the country declared a GP State of Emergency. The aim of our GP State of Emergency campaign is to help GPs...Five Year Forward View – two years on (19 Oct 2016)
24 October marks two years on from the launch of NHS England's Five Year Foward View. The document said it would stabilise general practice core funding withing two years. ...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.