What’s behind Sajid Javid’s row with GPs?

What’s behind Sajid Javid’s row with GPs? There is discord over the health secretary’s desire for doctors to provide more face-to-face appointments

The health secretary has irritated GPs by making clear he wants them to provide more face-to-face appointments rather than speaking to patients on the phone or by video call. Tension between GPs and Javid has grown over the past few weeks, with family doctors describing the minister as ignorant of the huge strain they are under. The Guardian

See also: 

• Government’s ‘rescue package’ for GPs is flawed and patient care will suffer as result The BMA
• GPs criticise Health Secretary's failure to speak at doctors' conference The BMA
• Speech: Thank you to GPs for their commitment during the most challenging of times – but patients must be able to see their doctor the way they want Department of Health and Social Care
• The King's Fund responds to the Department of Health and Social Care announcement to improve access to general practice The King's Fund
• Focus on access ignores other challenges in general practice, says College in response to NHSE announcement on ‘rescue’ measures for general practice Royal College of General Practitioners
• Fury at 'overpaid' GPs for moaning about Sajid Javid's plans The Daily Mail
• 'Nothing can bring Peter back... but no one else should die after being refused a visit to their GP': Five real-life stories of heartache caused by doctors' practices fobbing off patients The Daily Mail
• GPs must face the facts The Daily Telegraph
• GP anger over 'unsafe' plans to reduce social distancing and increase face-to-face appointments The Daily Telegraph
• What was Sajid Javid thinking? Challenging GPs could only ever backfire The Daily Telegraph
• Javid plans 'won't turn the tide' for GPs, warns former Tory health secretary GPonline
• GP fury as 'support package' ramps up pressure on face-to-face access GPonline
• GPs’ leader condemns ‘malicious criticism’ by politicians The Guardian
• GPs have become the new fall guys for government failures | Gaby Hinsliff The Guardian
• Stop demonising England’s family doctors – we are on our knees | Nishma Manek The Guardian
• ‘It is with a heavy heart that I leave’ – why the unrelieved pressure is pushing GPs to quit The Guardian
• NHS plans criticised as patients left waiting months for GP appointment ITV News