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 2017Responsible Oxygen Prescribing (04 Sep 2015)
The London Respiratory Network have asked us to re-circulate a copy of the London Clinical Oxygen Network (LCON) key messages for Responsible Oxygen use in adults...Patient Complaints - The DOs and DON'Ts - two half day workshops, Thursday 7 October 2015 (03 Sep 2015)
Is your practice as productive as it could be? Business health check event, 24 September 2015 - book your place now (02 Sep 2015)
...August Newsletter (13 Aug 2015)
Londonwide LMCs NewsletterMaking health and social care information accessible (12 Aug 2015)
The new Accessible Information Standards for GP Practices has been launched by NHS England and comes into force on 31 July 2016. Practices must ensure that all information...Men ACWY – Sign up guidance and Action Card for GPs from NHS England (12 Aug 2015)
Following enquiries received from practices regarding the Men ACWY programme, NHS England has issued brief guidance about the sign up process for this...GMS global sum calculation and data request for atypical population profiles (12 Aug 2015)
The BMA have produced a document that details how the global sum allocation (Carr-Hill formula) determines funding for GMS practices. This has been published in response to...PHP Reflective Practice Master Classes beginning 12 September 2015 (12 Aug 2015)
Each Master Class helps individuals to identify both the organisational and psychological barriers to change and personal development. Participants will have the choice of attending one of the following...Friends and Family Test:Â Disappointing news for London practices (12 Aug 2015)
Although it is a contractual requirement for practices to carry out the Friends and Family Test (F&FT) and submit data each month, the May return for London was a disappointing...New pan-London Cervical Sample Taker Database (CTSD) (12 Aug 2015)
NHS England has commissioned a web-based Cervical Sample Taker Database (CSTD) for the quality assurance of sample taking in London. The database enables the allocation of unique sample taker codes...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.