The British Medical Association (BMA) has advised general practitioners (GPs) to decline new requests from hospitals for shared care responsibilities concerning patients with conditions like prostate cancer and heart disease. The union's directive, part of ongoing collective action related to the 2026/27 GP contract, states that practices should reject these new arrangements unless existing contractual agreements cover the associated costs and workload.
The BMA claims that these shared care responsibilities, which can include prescribing specialist drugs for immune system disorders, heart and lung conditions, or managing prostate cancer and osteoporosis, are often "underfunded" and "unsafe." The union asserts that implementing these measures is necessary for safe patient care and to maintain the viability of local GP surgeries.
Patient advocacy groups have expressed alarm over the BMA's stance. David James, director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, emphasized that men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer require certainty regarding their care. "Men with prostate cancer must not be put at risk because of disputes over NHS funding or responsibilities," James stated. He urged the Government, NHS England, commissioners, and the BMA to collaborate urgently to prevent patients from experiencing confusion or delays.
Dr. Katie Bramall, chairwoman of the BMA's general practitioners committee for England, defended the action as a measure to reject the transfer of work from hospitals to practices without adequate resources. "For the sake of safe patient care, and keeping local GP surgeries open and viable, practices will therefore refuse any new requests for shared care, if these are inappropriately resourced," she said.
This development occurs as the government aims to shift healthcare services closer to patients' homes as a core component of its 10-year health plan for England. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the BMA's concerns and stated a commitment to working with the union to resolve outstanding issues and prevent escalation. The department expects all healthcare providers to act in patients' best interests and utilize public funds responsibly. They indicated that a significant impact on patient services is not anticipated and advised patients to continue contacting their GPs as usual.