GPs' collective action

News - 2 August 2024

People living in Greater Manchester are asked to come forward as usual for care during collective action by GP services which started Thursday 1 August 2024.

The NHS is asking the public to come forward as usual for care during collective action.

 

If you have an appointment with your GP practice, you should attend as usual, unless you are told otherwise.

 

Practices will still be open and see patients and you can book appointments through your GP practice. However, some GPs may direct patients to other local services.

 

During collective action practices are still required to fulfil their contracts. This essentially means:

 

Practices are required to be open between 0800 and 1830 Monday to Friday.

 

Practices should provide reasonable care to patients. This includes:

 

• Making appointments available
• Providing advice or care to patients by another means
• Giving advice on alternative services
• Providing access to prescriptions, long terms condition management, vaccinations, diagnoses and referral (including where clinically urgent) 
   

Practices also need to take into account:

 

• The needs of a patient to avoid risks to patient safety
• The benefits to patients of providing continuity of care.
• Your GP practice will be able to explain the impact on you and what you need to do.

Patients can use 111 online for health needs, and only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency. 

 

For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.

 

Your local pharmacist may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). Conditions they can treat as part of Pharmacy First are:

 

• earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
• impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
• infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
• shingles (aged 18 years and over)
• sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
• sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
   

 If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer   you to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed.