GPs to begin capping appointments in work-to-rule

Following an announcement by the British Medical Association of an immediate work-to-rule action, GPs across England will start capping the number of patients they are willing to see.

The BMA has told its members they can limit appointments to 25 a day (some GPs see more than 40 at times) in a dispute over funding levels.

NHS England has warned the action could cause significant disruption beyond just GP services.  In a letter to senior NHS managers last month, it said this could include increasing pressure and waits in A&E, slowing down the discharge of patients to hospital, and disrupting referrals into hospital for planned treatments, such as knee and hip replacement operations.

It warned that, as with other disputes, “maintaining services for patients with urgent needs, such as deteriorating conditions” was key.

But NHS England national director for primary care Dr Amanda Doyle, said if a patient needs to see a GP, they should “continue to come forward for care as practices will remain open.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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