It comes following news that 99.6% of those 1381 GPs who responded to a ballot from the BMA’s GP Committee in Northern Ireland voted to reject the 25/26 General Medical Services contract offer from the Department of Health.

The North Belfast MLA has said: “To say the result of the BMA’s ballot was overwhelming does not even appear to adequately describe the scale of rejection. That 99.6% of votes received were in opposition to the Department of Health (DoH)’s proposals, GPs could not make their opposition more evident.

“We recently met with members of the GP Committee and it was clearly expressed that, instead of improving the financial stability of general practices, the proposed contract terms would result in an overall net loss of funding.

“At a time when we are seeing an increasing number of practices handing contracts back due to lack of financial viability, DoH need to be working collaboratively with GPs to understand what is needed to secure their future.

“Given that 89% of respondents also indicated their willingness to take further collective action if required, it is crucial that the Minister prioritises reopening discussions urgently, as I understand Dr Frances O’Hagan, Chair of the BMA GP Committee in Northern Ireland, has already written to him requesting a meeting.

“Inability to access care from GPs is one of the most common complaints we receive as elected representatives. This will not change unless the Health Minister ensures general practice is sustainably funded. Without a fit for purpose contract, we won’t have fit for purpose services.”