GP collective action - patient information

A graphic of a woman on her phone on a blue background. The text reads: Some GPs are taking collective action which means GPs will stop or reduce certain work. Your GP practice will remain open. If you need to make an appointment, get in touch with your GP practice.

Following a ballot of its members, the British Medical Association confirmed that a period of GP collective action would start on 1 August 2024.

Collective action is not the same as industrial action, but means that some GPs may stop or reduce certain work.

The NHS is asking the public to continue to come forward as usual for care:

  • If you have an appointment with your GP practice, you should attend as normal - unless told otherwise.
  • Practices will still be open between 8am-6:30pm Monday-Friday, however some GPs may direct patients to other local services.

During collective action, GP practices are still required to:

  • Make appointments available
  • Provide advice or care to patients by another means
  • Give advice on alternative services
  • Provide access to prescriptions, long-term condition management, vaccinations, diagnoses and referral (including where clinically urgent)

Practices will also continue to take into account the needs of the patient and the benefits of continuity of care.

As always, patients can also use 111 online for health needs, and only use 999 in a serious or life-threatening emergency. More information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the NHS website.

Remember that your local pharmacist may also be able to offer treatment and prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP.

Conditions that pharmacists can treat as part of Pharmacy First are:

  • earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
  • impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
  • infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
  • shingles (aged 18 years and over)
  • sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
  • sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
  • urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)

If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed.