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The Department of Health’s offer for funding GP surgeries has been rejected by doctors, according to the British Medical Association (BMA). Following a referendum held by the medics’ trade union, it was revealed that 99.6% of participating GPs voted against the government’s proposal for core funding for services. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed his disappointment at the outcome, mentioning that an additional £9.5m in funding had been offered to GPs.
BMA NI GP committee chair, Dr Frances O’Hagan, stated that GPs in Northern Ireland feel that the offered amount is insufficient to stabilize or save general practice in NI. Nesbitt revealed that there is a projected shortfall of over half a billion pounds in the funds required for health and social care services. The package offered by the Department of Health includes funding for GP indemnity, support for increased National Insurance costs, as well as £1m for measures to address concerns over access to GP services. Despite the rejection, the offer remains on the table.
Dr. O’Hagan emphasized that the £5m offered for indemnity will not fully cover the costs incurred by GPs, particularly restricting it to GP partners only. She called for a credible offer from the Department and urged Nesbitt to return to the negotiating table. GPs expressed their willingness for further collective action if a better offer is not presented, with 89% indicating their readiness to do so. Of the eligible voters, approximately 65% participated in the referendum, with a total of 1,381 votes cast
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