FAMILY doctors are facing unprecedented pressure as patient numbers increase but limited resources leave them “overstretched” and unable to cope, a Southend GP has said as he backed industrial action.

GPs across England have been balloted by the British Medical Association over “collective action” amid a row over a new GP service contract that will see a 1.9 per cent funding increase for 2024/25.

The British Medical Association argues this will mean many surgeries struggle to remain financially viable.

Krishna Chaturvedi, a doctor at the Shoebury Health Centre, believes “it is about time” that GPs took action to demand better pay and conditions.

He said: “Yes, I definitely support it, it is about time we did something, patient suffering should not happen no matter what, there must however be an impact for the higher officers and politicians to understand the pressures we have been facing for many years.

“It is about time it is looked into and in a very succinct way.

“The patients demand is increasing, resources are limited, and the biggest issues is the manpower, if you want to retain the manpower GPs must get incentives, a good quality of care, the carer needs looking after.”

The action could see GPs limiting the number of patients they see each day to 25, not doing informal un-contracted work and potentially ignoring “rationing” restrictions for prescriptions.

“Their quality of work is overstretched, and I don’t blame GP practices, the whole system must be looked at”, said Mr Chaturvedi “It is chaotic, and I think they need to take action, it will not be a standstill, it has not happened before and there must be a proper negotiation.

“It is a time, it is bold, but this is right.”

Dr Chaturvedi added that GPs who have retired should be encouraged to come back to help as well, as “their experience is gold-dust.”

The ballot of GPs closed yesterday and, if medics vote in favour of collective action, it will start on August 1 and could last for “months”.

GPs have not staged action since 1964 when family doctors collectively handed in undated resignations to the Wilson government.

This led to reform including the Family Doctor Charter of 1965.

Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chairwoman of the BMA’s England General Practitioners Committee, said she aspires to talk to the current Government about a Family Doctor Charter 2025 – 60 years on from the original.

This comes as junior doctors were offered a 20 per cent pay rise over two years by the government in a bid to resolve a long-running pay dispute with the government.

The Times is reporting that the British Medical Association’s (BMA) junior doctors committee has recommended an offer to members.

It is understood to include a backdated pay rise of 4.05 per cent for 2023/24, on top of an existing increase of between 8.8 per cent and 10.3 per cent.

A further pay rise of 6 per cent for 2024/25 will also be topped up with a consolidated £1,000 payment, which is equivalent to a rise of between 7 per cent and 9 per cent.

The overall package represents a pay rise of about 20 per cent, according to The Times.