Our Position on the GP Collective Action
From 1st September, Market Overton and Somerby Surgeries will be joining the collective action in solidarity with General Practices across the country.
Our commitment to providing the best possible care for our patients remains unwavering. However, we are also deeply committed to the long-term sustainability and quality of the healthcare system in which we operate. In line with the British Medical Association (BMA), we have taken the difficult decision to participate in collective action.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly. It reflects our profound concern for the future of general practice and the wider NHS, where increasing demands, inadequate funding, and workforce shortages are compromising our ability to deliver safe, effective, and timely care. The current conditions are unsustainable and, if unaddressed, will continue to erode the quality of care that our patients deserve.
Our participation in this action is a collective stand to advocate for a healthcare system that is properly funded, fairly resourced, and adequately staffed. We believe that by addressing these issues, we can secure a future where all patients receive the high-quality care they need, when they need it.
We understand that this may cause inconvenience, and we deeply regret any disruption to our patients. However, we are taking these steps with the long-term goal of ensuring a better, more sustainable healthcare system for everyone.
We remain committed to our patients and will continue to provide care during this period, but at the BMA advised safe levels. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards a future where we can continue to provide the best possible care for our community.
Together, we stand for the future of healthcare—where patient care is prioritized, and the needs of the healthcare workforce are respected and met.
How will this affect patients?
We will be limiting the daily patient contacts per clinician to the UEMO (European Union of General Practitioners) recommended safe maximum of 25 per day. We will be increasing the percentage of face-to-face appointments we offer, and these appointments will be 15-minutes rather than the previous 10min appointment.
Once we are full to capacity, patients will be directed towards appropriate services that are available. Please work with our patient services team if they signpost you to another service.
General Practice is being broken. We know you deserve better than this. GPs are on your side.’