Northern Ireland’s GPs: Fighting for the Future of Patient Care
Lately, I’ve noticed something unsettling—more and more private referrals are landing on my desk. Patients who once relied solely on the NHS are now turning to private GP services, often out of frustration or desperation. It’s not that they want to pay out of pocket. It’s that they feel they have no choice. And as a GP, watching this shift unfold is heartbreaking. It’s a sign that something is deeply wrong with the system we’ve dedicated our lives to.
The Imposed Contract: A Breaking Point
Earlier this year, the Department of Health imposed the 2025/26 General Medical Services (GMS) contract on Northern Ireland’s GPs, despite a staggering 99.6% voting against it. The contract ignored our calls for fair funding, safe workloads, and sustainable services. We asked for just £40 more per patient per year—11p a day—to help keep practices afloat. That request was denied.
Instead, we were handed a contract that fails to reflect the reality of modern general practice. It offers no meaningful uplift, no reform, and no recognition of the pressures we face daily. It’s not just a bad deal—it’s a dangerous one.
Why GPs Are Saying “No”
Our opposition isn’t about politics or pay. It’s about survival—of our practices, our profession, and most importantly, our patients. General practice is the backbone of the NHS, yet we receive just 4% of the healthcare budget while managing over 10% of patient contacts weekly. The math doesn’t add up, and the consequences are becoming visible in every waiting room and inbox.
We’re fighting for:
• Safe workloads: Capping consultations at 25 per day to ensure quality care and prevent burnout.
• Fair funding: Demanding a budget that reflects the complexity and volume of our work.
• Sustainable services: Refusing to prop up other parts of the health system with unpaid, non-contractual labour.
These aren’t radical demands—they’re the bare minimum needed to keep general practice alive.
The Rise of Private GPs: A Symptom, Not a Solution
As public funding stagnates and workloads soar, some GPs are turning to private models—not out of greed, but out of necessity. Private services offer longer appointments, faster access, and continuity of care. For many of us, it’s the only way to practice medicine safely and ethically.
But this shift is bittersweet. Most of us entered the profession to serve our communities, not to charge them. The rise of private care is not a rejection of the NHS—it’s a cry for help. It’s a sign that the public system is failing, and that those who care most are being forced to find alternatives.
Collective Action: GPs Standing Together
In response to the imposed contract, 98.7% of GP partners voted to take collective action. This includes:
• Refusing unfunded work: We will no longer complete tasks outside our contract without compensation.
• Setting safe limits: Practices will cap daily consultations to protect staff and patients.
• Withdrawing from voluntary support roles: We will stop subsidising other parts of the health system with unpaid labour.
These actions are not about disruption. They’re about preservation. We’re drawing a line—not to harm patients, but to save them.
A Call for Support
Northern Ireland’s GPs are not giving up. We are standing up—for our patients, our profession, and the future of healthcare. We are asking for respect, for resources, and for reform. We are asking to be heard.
If we want a future where everyone can access high-quality, compassionate care, we must support our GPs. We must demand that the government listen. Because when general practice thrives, communities thrive. And when it collapses, we all pay the price.
Let’s stand with our GPs—not just for their sake, but for their patients.
