We want to inform you about important changes taking place at Longton Health Centre as part of the British Medical Association’s (BMA) collective action in response to the increasing pressures on GP practices across the UK.

This action is part of the BMA’s efforts to address issues related to underfunded services, rising demand, and the sustainability of general practice, which have been putting immense strain on healthcare providers.

What is the BMA and Why Are They Taking Action?

The British Medical Association (BMA) is a professional association and trade union that represents doctors and medical students in the UK. One of their primary roles is to negotiate contracts and working conditions for healthcare providers, including GPs. Recently, the BMA has been advocating for better funding and working conditions for GPs to ensure that they can continue to provide high-quality care to patients.

Find out more about the BMA’s recommended actions 

As you may have noticed, the pressures on GP practices have reached a critical point, with many facing closures due to unsustainable workloads and funding issues. By taking these proactive steps, we can protect the future of general practice, safeguard our financial viability, and ensure we continue to deliver essential care. The BMA’s collective action is designed to address these issues, ensuring that practices like ours can remain financially sustainable while continuing to deliver essential care.

Why Are These Changes Necessary?

The past decade has seen us lose over 1,000 GP surgeries and there are 10,000 fewer GPs. The Government promised us 6,000 more GPs at the last general election, but the numbers are still going down. The Government have imposed a contract on GPs that is resulting in more local practices closing, more GPs leaving and access for patients getting worse and worse.

As healthcare demands increase, it has become crucial for us to focus on services that are fully funded, allowing us to allocate resources where they are most needed. By transitioning certain services to other healthcare providers or commissioned services, we can maintain the quality and timeliness of patient care while ensuring that our practice remains sustainable in the long term.

What This Means for You:

Focused Care

Despite some changes, our commitment to providing high-quality, patient-focused care remains unchanged. We will continue to prioritise your health and well-being in everything we do.

Transitioning Services

Some services that are not funded or underfunded will now be referred to other healthcare providers. This ensures that you continue to receive the care you need, even if it is delivered by a different provider.

Maintaining Continuity

Your GP will continue to oversee your care and will ensure a smooth transition for any services that are affected. We will work closely with the relevant healthcare providers to ensure that your care remains uninterrupted and that you receive the support you need.

Clear Communication

For patients directly impacted by these changes, we will provide clear, timely information about how your care will be managed. You will receive detailed guidance on what to expect, and our team will be available to answer any questions you may have.

What Services Are Changing?

While not all services will be affected, some services that are underfunded or not fully supported will be transitioned to other external healthcare providers. If you are affected by these changes, you will be informed in advance. Rest assured, these transitions will be handled carefully to ensure minimum disruption in your care. We have been in contact with our Local Medical Committee and Healthwatch who will be providing crucial guidance as we navigate these changes.

If you any immediate concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of our practice team.

We understand that change can be challenging, but these adjustments are essential to protect the future of general practice not just in Longton and throughout the UK and ensure we can continue providing the best care for our community.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this time.

Changes to services at Longton Health Centre– FAQs

Are practice staff going on strike?

The team at Longton Health Centre are not taking strike action or halting patient care. We are continuing to follow BMA guidance, which may involve changes to how certain services are delivered. Our aim is to ensure that we continue to provide care while advocating for the future sustainability of general practice.

How long will this action last?

The duration of some of the action depends on ongoing negotiations between the BMA and the Government. We are committed to keeping our patient community updated on any developments and will provide further information as soon as we know more about the timeline for resolution.

Will I have to wait longer for routine services or treatments?

There may be some delays in routine appointments or non-urgent treatments however we are working hard to minimise any delays and ensure that any impact on patients is as limited as possible.

What kind of services will be affected by the changes?

At the moment, unfunded and underfunded services may be affected. We will inform you of any specific services that may be redirected to ensure you have clear information.

Will my appointments be cancelled or rescheduled due to the action?

Only services that are not funded or are underfunded will be affected or rescheduled. We will notify you as early as possible if your appointment is affected.

How is this going to affect wait times and congestion at hospitals and other service providers now that certain services will be directed elsewhere?

We understand that any changes in our service delivery may affect other parts of the NHS. We are taking steps to ensure that only specific services are redirected to other healthcare providers, with as minimal an impact as possible. However, we anticipate some increase in demand and we are working closely with local healthcare providers to manage this and keep patients informed should they be affected.

Nurses recently turned down a government offer of a wage increase. Does their strike impact Longton Health Centre?

Longton Health Centre operates separately from NHS hospitals and nursing staff. The current actions related to pay disputes involving nurses do not directly affect Longton Health Centre staff or services. However, we understand the broader healthcare system is interconnected, and any disruption in hospitals could lead to increased pressure on GP services. Our team is doing everything possible to continue to maintain normal service levels.

How can I stay informed about changes to services during this period?

We will keep you informed of all the changes through our website, social media and information leaflets / information screens in our waiting rooms and if you have any specific concerns or questions, you can always reach out to our team, and we will do our best to provide clear information.

What should I do if I have a medical emergency during the action?

If you have a medical emergency, please continue to use emergency services as you normally would by calling 999 or visiting A&E. For urgent but non-emergency care, you can contact 111 or visit a local walk in centre. If we have used all our available capacity we will direct you to the most appropriate service for your needs.

We understand that change can be challenging, If you have any more concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the practice team.

From the 31^st of October the way patients register at the practice is changing. The NHS is discontinuing the GMS1 form and Changing to online Registrations which can be found following this link Find a GP - NHS. Alternatively if you or somebody you know are unable to access the internet then please stop by the surgery to collect an online PRF1 Registration form

Dr Chamberlain (f) is currently on maternity leave for the next 12 months clinical locum cover for Dr Chamberlain will be provided internally during this period.

Please tell us if you are or have been a member of the Armed Forces

 - We have information for help and support groups and can offer military veteran healthcare checks

Please tell us if you rely on or there is someone who relies on you to look after them or isn't able to care for themselves

 - We have offer health and wellbeing advice and support and carer health checks and have social prescribers who may be able to support you

Please let us know if you have any specific access, information or communication needs

 - We can support with these specific needs and a note can be added so our teams are aware

Our patients may wish to see their named GP of choice where clinically available, irrespective of who your informed, named or allocated and accountable GP is - our teams encourage continuity of care where possible 

We'd like to hear your feedback regarding the practice. Please click here to complete our survey. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. If you are unable to complete this online, you can collect a paper copy from reception.