Some GPs are now working to rule: Here’s what this means for you
The British Medical Association (BMA) recently advised GP practices to begin ‘working-to-rule’ which involves only undertaking tasks that are included in their NHS contract. Reducing the number of appointments available and switching off GP Connect Update Record are among the actions suggested. The full list of actions can be found on the BMA website.
Last week the BMA also announced the results of a ballot in which 98.3% of the 67.7% GP Partners that voted were in favour of limiting appointments to 25 per day.
These are suggested actions. Not all GP practices will take part and they will choose what to do individually.
If your GP practices are taking part, you may experience an increase in Pharmacy First consultations, over the counter sales, requests for general health advice and prescription queries.
What you need to do
Talk to your local surgeries to find out what they are doing and understand the potential impact on patients and your team.
If you’re encountering any issues, need our support or want to tell us about the impact this is having on you, please get in touch.
You can send us an email: enquiries@cpgm.org.uk or call us: 0161 228 6163
Communicating with patients
If your pharmacy is affected by local action and is busier than usual, you may want to display the posters below to advise your patients. These have been adapted from the versions provided by CPE.
