A large majority of GPs have voted for the first of two government options on how they will provide extended opening hours in surgeries.
The BMA, however, says that GPs will effectively see their pay cut when they start working under the new system from April, as part of changes to the GP contract being imposed after negotiations broke down between the two sides.
More than nine out of 10 (92%) of the GPs who took part in a BMA opinion poll voted for the first of two government options, whereby an average practice of three GPs would initially lose £18 000 (€24 000; $36 000) and have to earn the money back by providing extended hours.
The second option, under which practices would lose £36 000 and the money would be given to the primary care trust with no guarantee that it could be earned back, was rejected.
Around 27 000 GPs responded to the poll, the results of which were announced this week. It was one of the biggest ever responses the BMA has had from its GP members.
Most doctors (96%) said they were opposed to both options but had selected the first because they believed it the least damaging. A similar number (97%) also said in the poll that they were not confident in the government’s handling of the NHS.
The BMA said it would now work towards implementing the new arrangements, which are voluntary, but used language such as “bully” and “railroaded” when referring to the government’s methods of negotiation.
Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee, said, “A majority of GPs were and remain willing to provide extended hours surgeries. However, GPs believe they are being railroaded into an unrealistic vision of extended hours.
“We have selected one of two unacceptable options,” Dr Buckman said. “In the future I hope the government will work out that this is not a good method of negotiation.”
He said the BMA knew that more than 50% of GPs were willing to provide extended services, but he could not say how many would choose to do so in the final event.
Health secretary Alan Johnson said, “We are delighted that GPs have supported this deal. It will ensure more convenient surgery opening hours for millions of patients.”
Mr Johnson, speaking earlier in the week at a conference in London, said: “I have no wish to impose a fixed model of what primary care should look like or how it should be organised.”
Alastair Henderson, acting director of NHS Employers, which negotiated on behalf of the government, said, “We are pleased that GPs have voted in favour of the contract changes that we proposed. This was the best option for GPs and their patients.”