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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 2017

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