The BMA’s GP Committee will allow delegates at the special LMC conference in March to vote on the Government’s 2025/26 contract offer.
The final decision on whether to accept the offer will then be taken at the GPC England meeting the following day (20 March), informed by the LMC vote, Pulse understands.
The special LMC conference will take place on 19 March in London and will also see delegates debate escalation options with regards to collective and potential industrial action.
An update from GPCE chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, sent yesterday, said the Government negotiations about the 2025/26 GP contract are expected to finalise in February.
She wrote: ‘It may appear quiet on the GPCE front, while we are focused on negotiations with the Government, DHSC and NHSE, which we anticipate will conclude next month. Secretary of State Wes Streeting wrote to me last week, and I shall be meeting minister for primary care Stephen Kinnock later this week.
‘The Government is well aware of the upcoming special England LMC conference on Wednesday 19 March to focus on potential “escalatory steps needed to ensure the survival of what still remains of English general practice”, and the lack of GP employment opportunities. The special conference is also to consider the 2025/26 offer from the DHSC/NHSE.’
The Government unveiled the first details of the next GP contract in December, including an extra £889m ‘on top of the existing budget’ for general practice.
The proposals did not mention the impact that the national insurance contribution rises will have on practices, and carried no promise of funding to offset those specifically.
Pulse had previously revealed that the changes announced in the Budget could cost GP practices across England a total of £260m.
