Collective action at Staverton Surgery to support adequate GP funding

The GP partners at Staverton Surgery have decided to participate in some aspects of the collective action outlined by the BMA and widely publicised in the media. We are concerned that general practice is at risk due to longstanding underfunding and understaffing of the NHS and increasing burden of work placed on general practice mainly by hospitals. Funding and staffing for hospitals have increased annually for 10 years 
while resources have overall decreased for GP services, despite 15% growth in GP appointment in 5 years. We believe this is impacting on patient safety and continuity of care, which is our highest priority.

We support BMA negotiations with the government to increase GP funding so we can manage the overwhelming workload and retain and recruit GP practice staff to sustain your healthcare.

What does our collective action mean for our patients?

• Staverton GPs are not striking 
• Staverton GPs are not capping our daily appointment list 
• Staverton GPs are not changing opening hours or routine appointments but you might be asked to book a routine appointment rather than a same-day emergency if your query is not urgent to prioritise sick patients

We aim to work to contractual obligations only so:

• We can no longer guarantee services outside our GP contract such as letters for schools, universities, gyms, fit to fly, and housing. These will be considered individually and may be refused, or delayed and incur a charge.
• We will no longer undertake work transferred while you are receiving hospital consultant care that should be provided by hospital services such as monitoring, prescribing, organising tests, and chasing appointments and results. Hospitals are contractually obliged to follow-up patients in their care unless there is a Shared Care Agreement. We will ask hospital colleagues to ensure they provide you with the continuity of safe specialist care you should receive. 

While we understand some of these actions might be inconvenient for a few patients, we believe this is necessary to support a new contract that protects the future of best quality GP care for our patients.

Published: Aug 27, 2024