GPs demand an “urgent” change in working hours to reduce the “strain”

As reported by The Telegraph, the Avon Local Medical Committee is to table a motion which would change the daily working hours of general practitioners to a 9am-5pm

The committee have said “urgent action is needed”.

Currently, practices typically run from 8 am to 6.30 pm. The change would mean two-and-half hours are taken off GPs’ official work days.

This is part of a demand for “credible agreed workload measures”.

The objective is that GPs “further develop, publicise and strongly advocate worked-up plans to introduce safe workload limits for general practice that do not constitute a breach of contract”.

There have been reports of an increase in abuse of GPs and receptionists in practices. The motion will also debate GMS regulations to allow for the immediate removal from the practice list of patients “for any form of abuse”.

Avon LMC represents GPs in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. The motion will be heard at the annual conference of UK local medical committees on May 10th and 11th in York.

Before the COVID pandemic, eight out of 10 GP appointments were face-to-face, since these figures have fallen to below half. Now, only 61% of consultations are done in person.

If the GPs vote was passed, the change in work hours would still have to be accepted by NHS before it could go ahead.