NHS GPs want cash boost ‘worth £2.5b as first step’ to calling off work-to-rule protests

NHS GPs want a funding boost potentially worth £2.5billion as a “first step” to calling off work-to-rule protests.

The British Medical Association is demanding an extra £40 per patient per year, up from £112.50 to £152.50.

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Health Secretary Wes Streeting last week urged thousands of striking GPs to stopCredit: Alamy

There are 63.5 million patients in England, putting the cost to the Treasury at around £2.5billion.

Thousands of GPs are taking action by refusing to work overtime and limiting appointments.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting last week urged them to stop.

Leader Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer said: “An extra £40 a year for each patient would help stabilise our profession and prevent the loss of any more GP surgeries.

“Doing this would be a significant first step towards us being able to call off collective action.”

Doctors would not pocket all the cash so it is not equal to a pay rise, but they can keep any surplus after running costs.

The Government has already pledged billions of pounds to BMA members in strike-busting pay deals with consultants and junior and specialist doctors.

Mr Streeting has vowed to increase the NHS’ focus on GP practices under plans for a “neighbourhood health service” to reduce reliance on hospitals.

In July, Streeting ordered a “warts and all” probe of the NHS to tell the “hard truths” of what needs fixing.

Writing in The Sun, Mr Streeting said: “Honesty is the best policy, and this report will provide patients, staff and myself with a full and frank assessment of the state of the NHS, warts and all. 

Pensioner turned away from his doctors’ surgery because they said he was “already dead”

“It’s going to take time to turn the NHS around – we were honest about that before the election.

“Sticking plasters won’t be enough to heal it. It will require fundamental reform.”