The North Belfast MLA said: “Unfortunately, it was made clear today that relationships between the Department of Health (DoH) and GPs are at an all-time low, with the Minister’s tone during his announcement being nothing short of disgraceful.
“Alliance understand the crucial role general practice plays in our health service, and our planned Assembly motion next week calling for the Minister to deliver a sustainable GP contract forced his hand. However, his announcement today was completely offensive.
“The scale of opposition to the DoH proposals expressed from GPs cannot be understated, with 99.6% of those responding to the BMA GP Committee’s ballot in favour of rejecting the offer. The Minister’s decision to ignore this and implement the contents of the offer is a show of disregard and disrespect.
“Time and again, we see the Health Minister requesting additional funding just for services to stand still, yet when GPs make this same request, it’s described as an unrealistic approach.
“Alliance will maintain pressure on the Health Minister to deliver and continue to engage with the BMA GP Committee to understand what is required to ensure the future of general practice can be secured.
“It is not too late for the Minister to re-engage in negotiations with GPs and repair relationships. If he truly wants to show his commitment to general practice and his ‘shift-left agenda’, he should take action and put his money where his mouth is.”
“Alliance understand the crucial role general practice plays in our health service, and our planned Assembly motion next week calling for the Minister to deliver a sustainable GP contract forced his hand. However, his announcement today was completely offensive.
“The scale of opposition to the DoH proposals expressed from GPs cannot be understated, with 99.6% of those responding to the BMA GP Committee’s ballot in favour of rejecting the offer. The Minister’s decision to ignore this and implement the contents of the offer is a show of disregard and disrespect.
“Time and again, we see the Health Minister requesting additional funding just for services to stand still, yet when GPs make this same request, it’s described as an unrealistic approach.
“Alliance will maintain pressure on the Health Minister to deliver and continue to engage with the BMA GP Committee to understand what is required to ensure the future of general practice can be secured.
“It is not too late for the Minister to re-engage in negotiations with GPs and repair relationships. If he truly wants to show his commitment to general practice and his ‘shift-left agenda’, he should take action and put his money where his mouth is.”