Longfield Medical Centre in Maldon has announced that they will be taking part in the British Medical Association's recently announced GP Collective Action.

The Collective Action means that fewer appointments will be available to patients, with priority given to long term chronic routine problems, and a small proportion of urgent matters.

This follows a ballot by the British Medical Association regarding the high demand and pressures that have been placed on Primary Care due to funding cuts.

98.3% of GPs across the country voted in favour of this action.

In a statement released today (September 16) at 11am, a spokesperson for Longfield Medical Centre on Princes Road Maldon said in part: "There is a nationwide issue regarding the difficulty in recruiting clinicians into the NHS. 

"There are 2062 fewer fully qualified GPs in England in September 2023 compared to September 2015, and the population size has grown by over six million.

"In addition to this, over 1000 GP Practises have closed since 2015 due to lack of funding, placing additional demand on an already burdened system…

"NHS England are working with commissioners to monitor activity so that every step has been taken to ensure care continues to be delivered safely, and that reasonable needs of patients continue to be met, alongside the other contractual requirements."

Data from the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust found in March 2024 that Maldon GPs see around 500 more patients than the national average, and 250 more than the average for Mid and South Essex.

Despite this, the data found that rural areas offered some of the highest volumes of appointments to patients, with 600 out of 1,000 patients in the Dengie Peninsula offered appointments when requested.

The first part of the action at Longfield Medical Centre includes following the BMA's 'National Guidance of Safe Clinical Practice' which states that it is unsafe for a doctor to see more than 25 patients per day.

This means that there will be a restricted number of appointments each day.

Urgent requests will be triaged from 8 am onwards, with no promise of an appointment if the service is deemed at maximum capacity.

Patients will be directed to seek urgent health care from other support services such as 111, Accident and Emergency, urgent care centres, or community pharmacies. 

The British Medical Association first urged GP Partners/ Contractors in England to begin Collective Action from August 1. 

Describing the actions as "easy, safe and sustainable", the BMA aims to increase pressure on the government to "do the right thing" for general practice and patients.

The action intends to bring forward a new contract for General Practise, with increased investment and workforce.

NHS England has advised patients to "come forward as usual" for care during collective action.

It advises those with an appointment at your GP practice to attend as usual, unless you are told otherwise.