GPs in Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly to reject the 25/26 General Medical Services (GMS) contract offered by the Department of Health.

In a referendum taking place over the last two weeks 99.6% of GPs who took part voted to reject the offer. 

Speaking about the result, Dr Frances O’Hagan, BMA NI GP committee chair said, “The result is extremely clear, GPs in Northern Ireland do not think this offer is enough to stabilise or save general practice in NI. 
“In our negotiations we asked the Department for a credible financial investment in general practice, one that will help stabilise the service, keep GPs in post and stem the tide of contract handbacks which means more practices in every town in Northern Ireland could be at risk of closing, but the Department have not listened. 

“What they have offered is an additional £1millon into core funding, a paltry additional 0.01% of the overall health budget . The £5 million offered for indemnity will not fully cover the costs GPs incur and which they propose to restrict to GP partners only, and a contribution to the increased national insurance costs may not be enough to cover the actual cost to GPs. 

“We now need the Minister and the Department to come back to the negotiating table with a credible offer. Therefore I have written to the Minister today to seek an urgent meeting with him so we can work together on a solution.

“Alongside the offer the Department have issued GPs with a set of access proposals. None of these will create a single extra appointment for patients. What they will create is more bureaucracy for GP surgeries, taking staff away from dealing directly with patient queries. 

“We had agreed to work with the Department on access, to try and get a better understanding on what data they have on perceived access issues, but they refused to agree to work collaboratively with us to co-produce a set of proposals that might actually help GPs and patients. 

“GPs are as if not more frustrated as patients with the level of access we can provide with the current funding – additional funding into core general practice will allow practices to hire more staff including more GPs and this will provide more access. 

“To be very clear if the Minister does not fund indemnity and NIC properly and invest in core general practice then he is risking the very future of general practice in Northern Ireland.  

“As part of the referendum we also asked GPs if they were willing to take further, collective action if a better offer was not presented, and 89% of respondents indicated that they would be willing to do this. We will continue to engage and consult with GPs as this process progresses.”

The referendum was open to GPs and GP registrars from across Northern Ireland. The online referendum took place from 1 May to 11 May with respondents being asked to accept or reject the offer. 

Notes to editors

Results of the referendum are as follows: 
Question: Do you accept or reject this offer on the 2025/26 GMS contract from the Department of Health?

Number of responses     
ACCEPT     6    0.4%
REJECT     1375    99.6%

Turnout     1381 votes received – 65% turnout based on March 24 BSO workforce data
 
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.

The 2025/26 health budget for Northern Ireland will be £8.39 billion. https://www.nhsconfed.org/publications/nicon-submission-doh-budget-settlement-202526