Nesbitt to implement GP contract already rejected by doctors

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said he will implement a funding contract for GP surgeries in Northern Ireland which has already been rejected by doctors.

Mr Nesbitt told the Northern Ireland Assembly he is not “looking for a fight”, but said he will not make promises he cannot keep or “agree to demands that the budget cannot possibly satisfy”.

Dr Frances O’Hagan, chairwoman of the British Medical Association (BMA) Northern Ireland GP committee, said it is an “understatement” to say members are “shocked and angry” by the move.

She said they will now consult on next steps.

The minister has offered a package of £9.5 million in additional core funding for services for GPs.

But last week the BMA said 99.6% of GPs who took part in a referendum voted to reject the 2025/26 General Medical Services (GMS) contract offered by the Department of Health.

Delivering a statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday, Mr Nesbitt said he questioned the “wisdom of tabling unachievable demands, at a time when the budgetary pressures are at an all-time high”.

He added: “I also have to respectfully wonder what they hope to achieve by treating an ally of primary care as an adversary.

“All, of course, is fair in love, war and funding bids. But these tactics make absolutely no sense to me.”

Mr Nesbitt said the BMA has asked for an extra £80 million, but told MLAs this would be used to deliver “more of the same”.

The minister said he wants to see “concrete proposals” from the BMA around access to GP surgeries.

“Of course, we still have many exceptional GP practices, but, from the messages we receive directly from patients, I can see that some are still having to phone hundreds of times in the hope of securing an appointment to see their GP,” he said.

“That’s not sustainable.”

Mr Nesbitt said he remains “100% committed” to dialogue with the BMA.

But he added: “There is nothing to be gained from further contract negotiations, which would only offer false hope that a better offer might be forthcoming. It will not.

“We are at the end point for this year.

“I have therefore taken the decision to go ahead and implement the contract on offer.

“I do so mindful of the pressure GPs are facing in relation to national insurance bills and the long-standing concerns about indemnity cover.

“I want the funding I have been able to earmark for these areas to be released and to provide immediate assistance.

“Further delay will help no-one.

“Of course, as always, I will continue to engage closely with the BMA and GPs moving forward.

“My door is always open for genuine engagement and discussions.”

Dr O’Hagan said: “This is the first time a sitting health minister in Northern Ireland has chosen to impose the GMS contract on GPs, so to say we are shocked and angry at this decision would be an understatement.

“We have been warning for well over a decade now that general practice cannot continue in the way it has been – trying to meet increasing demand with fewer GPs and insufficient resource, leading to collapse by contract hand-backs and closure.

“Rather than trying to address this imbalance, the minister seems content with the status quo to continue.

“All GPs want to do is deliver a service to their patients that meets their needs.

“The funding we require would not only do that, but it would also provide the level of access they deserve and we want to give.

“The contract being imposed by the minister will not allow us to do that.”

She added: “The results of our referendum were extremely clear – 99.6% of GPs do not think the contract offer that is now being imposed is enough to stabilise or save general practice in Northern Ireland.

“We will now consult with our members to decide the next steps.”