The British Medical Association (BMA) has voted to oppose the government’s 10-year NHS plan, warning that it risks undermining GP independence and weakening patient care. The decision was made at a special meeting of BMA representatives, where doctors voiced strong concerns about the future of general practice under the proposals.
Doctors say the plan threatens the GP partnership model by increasing salaried roles, which could reduce autonomy and continuity of patient care. A BMA survey of nearly 3,000 doctors revealed that 89% of GPs fear the plan will decrease independence, while 87% believe it will push general practice towards a salaried system. More than three-quarters warned it would damage continuity of care for patients.
Dr Tom Dolphin, BMA Chair, said: “General practice is the most efficient part of the NHS, yet we have fewer GPs now than in 2015. Proposals for new Integrated Health Organisations pose an existential risk to the partnership model and are causing huge anxiety among GPs.”
Government Defends Neighbourhood Health Service
Health and Care Secretary Wes Streeting attempted to reassure doctors that neighbourhood health services outlined in the plan would not undermine autonomy. He said integrated organisations would “not necessarily” be hospital-led, adding there was a clear role for GP leadership.
Streeting also confirmed that GPs would not be forced to adopt the two new contracts being introduced in 2026. These contracts include single neighbourhood providers serving around 50,000 patients and multi-neighbourhood providers covering up to 250,000 people.
Workforce Shortages and Digital Concerns
The BMA survey found that over half of GPs rank workforce shortages and limited training places among their top concerns. Doctors warned that even advances in AI and digital healthcare cannot replace the urgent need for more trained staff.
More than a quarter of respondents cited inadequate IT systems as a barrier to reform, while 63% expressed fears about patient trust and data security under a single patient record system.
Dr Dolphin stressed: “The government must provide transparent and independent modelling on how neighbourhood hubs will function, particularly when the NHS is already facing high vacancy rates.”
Growing GP Exodus from the NHS
Recent research published in the BMJ shows that one in three GPs in England now work outside the NHS, up from 27% in 2015. Many have left due to excessive workloads, limited consultation time, and frustration with government policy.
Despite voting to oppose the plan, 83% of grassroots doctors want the BMA to continue engaging with the government while pressing for changes to protect GP independence and patient care.
