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GPs in 'formal dispute' with ministers over funding

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Doctors have entered a formal dispute with the Scottish government, the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has announced.

The union has called for "full restoration" of a £290m funding gap for GP surgeries and said the next step would be to ballot doctors on disruptive action.

It said the share of the health service budget has fallen against inflation every year since 2008, and surgeries cannot afford to hire the staff they need.

The Scottish government said it was taking forward discussions with BMA Scotland "to avert escalation of this dispute".

A joint statement from Dr Iain Morrison, Dr Chris Black and Dr Al Miles from BMA Scotland's GP committee said doctors faced "significant challenges" in delivering core services.

It said: "The ridiculous paradox of GP Partners having to look at what hours across the practice can be reduced in order to balance the books, at a time of more demand on services than ever before, must stop.

"The impact this is having on the locum market and job opportunities, especially for our newly qualified GPs, is shockingly stark."

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Health Secretary Neil Gray said the formal dispute would not affect patient care

The union said it would launch a "Stand with your Surgery" campaign for £290m to come back directly to GP practices.

It said the declaration of the formal dispute was the next legal step in escalating concerns in preparation for a ballot on "disruptive action".

Dr Iain Morrison added: "I want to make it clear, no one wants this escalation to take place.

"Urgent talks with the Scottish government continue to identify how they can work with us to provide full funding restoration and exit this dispute."

Research by BMA Scotland suggests the funding which GP practices receive for every patient has been eroded year after year against inflation since 2008.

However, the Scottish government said it has increased investment and was determined to increase the number of GPs in Scotland.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: "The Scottish government values greatly the work of general practice and is actively taking forward discussions with the BMA over this summer to avert escalation of this dispute and address the BMA's concerns.

"The BMA entering into formal dispute with us will not affect the care patients receive".