40 Percent of GPs Limiting Patient Appointments in Collective Action

​Over 40 percent of GP practices across England are now limiting patient appointments as part of widespread collective action, a survey has revealed. The pushback comes after family doctors voted at the start of August against changes to their contracts, introduced by the government and NHS England. Surveyed by Pulse magazine, 660 different GP practices said they are capping daily patient contacts per GP to 25, as well as stopping voluntary services rationing referrals. The measures are aimed at reducing the workload that many GPs say has become unmanageable without additional resources or support. The list of 10 collective actions by the British Medical Association (BMA) also encouraged GP practices to consider withdrawing from data sharing agreements, where information is not used for direct care, and freeze sign-up to any new contracts....