The British Medical Association (BMA) has directed general practitioners (GPs) in England to refuse new requests from hospitals for shared care responsibilities for patients with conditions such as prostate cancer and heart disease. This action is part of a protest against the 2026/27 GP contract and aims to pressure the National Health Service (NHS) into increasing funding.
The union is urging GPs to reject the transfer of additional work from hospitals to practices unless existing contractual arrangements adequately cover the costs and workload. The BMA argues that these transferred responsibilities, which can include prescribing specialist drugs for various conditions and monitoring patient progress, are often underfunded and potentially unsafe.
Charities have expressed concern over the potential impact on patients. David James, director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, stated that men with prostate cancer must not be put at risk due to disputes over NHS funding. He emphasized the need for certainty that prescribing, monitoring, and follow-up care will not be disrupted, calling for urgent collaboration between the Government, NHS England, commissioners, and the BMA to resolve the issue.
Dr. Katie Bramall, chairwoman of the BMA's general practitioners committee for England, explained that this phase of collective action is specifically about GPs refusing the transfer of new work from hospitals that is inadequately resourced. She highlighted that this stance is taken for the sake of safe patient care and the viability of local GP surgeries.
This directive comes as the government aims to shift care closer to patients' homes, a central tenet of its 10-year health plan for England. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the pivotal role of GPs and affirmed the government's commitment to working with the BMA to resolve outstanding issues and avoid escalation. The department stated that it expects all NHS care providers to act in patients' best interests, use public funds responsibly, and adhere to clinical guidance. They do not anticipate a significant impact on patient services and advise patients to continue contacting their GPs as usual.