General practitioners (GPs) are issuing a warning of a potential labor dispute unless Health Secretary Wes Streeting halts significant alterations to the process of scheduling patient appointments.
Streeting has pledged to eliminate the morning rush to secure appointments starting Wednesday by mandating that medical practices in England allow patients to request appointments online at any time during operating hours. Currently, practices can suspend online booking when overwhelmed, leading to engaged phone lines and the inability of some patients to make contact.
The planned modifications to maintain continuous online access aimed to free up phone lines for older patients in need. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) argues that without additional resources, this could swiftly escalate into a “critical patient safety concern.”
The BMA has threatened to escalate the situation and initiate a formal dispute if the government does not pause the implementation within the next 48 hours.
Dr. Katie Bramall, chair of the BMA GP committee, expressed concerns that the changes would likely result in extended waiting lists in general practice, diminishing face-to-face GP consultations as doctors struggle to prioritize urgent cases among a surge of online requests.
Streeting is set to address the doctors’ union at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool tomorrow.
The BMA advocates for practices to retain the capability to redirect online consultation requests to phone or walk-in options if overwhelmed, as the current system often leaves patients struggling to connect with the practice.
A recent GP Patient Survey revealed that more than 25% of individuals had a subpar experience arranging GP appointments. The incoming Labour government highlighted the decline in GP access under the Tories, prompting patients in certain regions to head directly to A&E departments.
The impending change signifies a shift away from receptionists as gatekeepers to GPs starting October 1. The triage process in England will require practices to accept appointment requests online, via phone, or in person from 8am to 6.30pm.
Patients will need to provide their condition details when requesting appointments, with practices expected to respond within one working day, offering a GP appointment slot, referral to a pharmacist or another NHS service, or self-care guidance in some cases.
Under the new system, GP practices will no longer instruct patients to call back the next day at 8am for appointments.
The BMA emphasizes that online systems may not differentiate between urgent and non-urgent cases and insists on implementing necessary safeguards to prevent erroneous submission of critical clinical requests online.
Moreover, the BMA warns that without additional staffing, GPs may be diverted from face-to-face consultations to handle the influx of online appointment requests.
If the changes proceed, the BMA will engage in a technical dispute with the government, potentially leading to a strike ballot if unresolved.
Dr. Bramall emphasized the importance of implementing necessary safeguards before October 1 and urged Streeting to consider the safety of patients and practice staff while striving to achieve his goals.
She stressed that while open to technological advancements, the primary focus remains on patient and staff safety.
The government has a 48-hour window to reconsider the plan, avert a potential dispute, and uphold its commitments.