Sefton LMC Bulletin : Contract 24/25 dispute – 2 August 2024
After the Ballot, what next?
The ballot result shows resounding support among GPs for action in pursuit of a satisfactory settlement of the GP contract and one which properly addresses the crisis in General Practice- resourcing, workload, and GP workforce.
What should come next? We advise a brief period of tactical calm in which practices complete their preparations for the actions they wish to take–
The indicative timescale for the dispute issued by the GPC Chair shows the onset of action is intended to be a ‘slow burn’ and there are sound reasons why there should be a careful collective schooled approach to taking action.
Our latest Chairmans Bulletin advised practices intending to introduce the option of a limit on Patients seen per GP to 25 per day , to start this straight away in order to put in place the arrangement to do this safely.
A brief tactical pause on the other options allows practices to finish their preparation – speaking with patients and their PPG, on why and how action will be taken and rigging themselves to take the action they intend ie switching off the financial elements of Scriptswitch etc. And, importantly, organising to take actions (whatever they are to be) in concert as a collective with a common onset date and latterly a common end date.
It allows the holiday period to finish and have everyone back to engage in the action.
Also, but not crucially, it gives the new SOS and team to respond to the ballot and calls for substantive talks to avert action.
So, for the moment it is advisable that practices complete their preparations particularly the engagement with patients and their assessment of the actions they wish to take from the menu, and let the LMC know what these are (survey monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HSTVW6V) so we can create a picture for you of of the most supported forms of action among practices in in our district: this will inform your thinking. We shall be sharing ‘how to advice ‘on exiting Script switch etc in the coming days.
There are calls being made elsewhere for practices to take action right away as and when they wish especially since the actions in the menu involve no risk of a breach of contract sanction. This risks the charge of GPs being a chaotic rabble which will be doubtless made by some in the hostile press. Moreover, to be effective acting in unity increases impact it is the LMC view that we in Sefton should act as a united body as far as possible.
This bulletin was posted to the LMC Sefton GPs Contract dispute 24/25 What’s Appp group on Friday 2 August ; to get bulletins like this and breaking advice/information concerning the dispute quickly and directly GPs can join the group by contacting us at the email address below.
Joe Chattin
Secretary