Stakes high for both sides as dispute over GP appointments deepens

Stakes high for both sides as dispute over GP appointments deepens Talking to MPs recently, an effusive Sajid Javid lauded the vital role paid by “our fantastic GPs”. But his warm words are unlikely to have persuaded many of England’s family doctors that the new health secretary was softening his stance in an increasingly bitter dispute over his insistence on face-to-face appointments for any patient that asks.

The row has led to the first clash between the government and medical profession since Javid’s predecessor Jeremy Hunt confronted junior doctors in 2015 over weekend working, which led to a year-long struggle including a series of strikes by trainee medics. The Guardian

See also:

• GPs have decided whether they will strike, but they won't tell YOU (the person who pays their wages) The Daily Mail
• Sajid Javid’s criticisms fuelling abuse of doctors, says GPs’ chief The Guardian
• GP access improvement plans to be finalised this week, says NHS England Pulse