Doctors attending the BMA’s Annual Representative Meeting (ARM) voted to instruct the BMA England GP committee to ‘act upon the GP ballot of 2021 and to organise opposition to the imposition of the new contract including industrial action if necessary’, Pulse reports.
Some 57% were in favour of potential industrial action, while 17% voted against and 26% abstained.
Last year in an indicative ballot, GPs suggested they would vote in favour of taking action over the new contract imposition.
Dr Farah Jameel, the GPC chair, told reporters that GPs were “exhausted” by work and NHS England’s proposals.
GPs last took a day of industrial action 10 years ago on 21 June 2012. During the last industrial action, Pulse advised that GP locums contracted by primary care organisations could take part in industrial action.
Representatives also voted for GP practices to withdraw from PCNs by next year.
The ARM results came during strikes by both RMT members and barristers.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “Any decision to take industrial action is never taken lightly, and if there is one profession that is good at weighing up evidence and risks, it is GPs. So, to have reached the stage where we are talking about ballots for industrial action is indeed frightening.
“Although self-employed GP locums will not be balloted, we nevertheless collectively share the deep frustration of our colleagues who are either completely exhausted, or witnessing their colleagues going through unprecedented stress that has been brought about by this ever increasing workload.
“We know that our members are doing all they can to support colleagues. Our advice here is to make sure you look after yourself first, making sure you also take time off to relax away from work.”