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GP Contract 2008/09: poll outcome

March 2008

The outcome of the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) poll on contractual options for 2008/09 was announced on 6 March 2008. The result was largely expected; GPs have voted overwhelmingly to protect quality care and selected the less worse of two highly unsatisfactory options (option A). However, GPs have overwhelmingly stated their opposition to the terms of the government offer, and have sent a strong message to government to work with GPC to achieve any further improvements or flexibilities to option A, particularly if it wishes GPs to take up the extended access Directed Enhanced Service (DES).

GPs have also expressed deep unhappiness with the government’s method of negotiation and have stated a lack of confidence in the government’s handling of the NHS, as well as overwhelmingly opposing policy to expand commercial provision of NHS general practice. The GPC has urged the government to heed these messages if it wishes to engage GPs at large with its health policy rather than to alienate them. The GPC will use the strength of feeling shown in this poll to put pressure on the government to modify their plans for the future of the NHS and to encourage them to work sensibly with us to improve patient services in the future. The GPC will also continue its campaign to support and develop modern general practice to protect not only existing GP providers but also the personal, list-based system of general practice that is so valued by the vast majority of patients. Further information will be provided on this in due course.

The GPC will now work towards the practical implementation of this government-imposed package. This will include trying to make extended hours surgeries work locally for those practices that wish to offer this service. Further guidance will be issued once details are clarified. The following documents are now available in relation to the poll:

Please use the links to the right to download the documents

• GP Contract 2008/09: What the poll outcome means for your practice - guidance for GPs
• GP Contract 2008/09: Summary results of the GPC poll of opinion
• GP Contract 2008/09: Full results of the GPC poll of opinion

There is also a BMA press release announcing the results of the poll.