GPS 'TO STRIKE' OVER BID TO END 8AM SCRAMBLE

Union says online appointment move is risk to patients' safety

- BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

GPS are threatening to go on strike unless Wes Streeting halts major changes to how patients book appointments.

The Health Secretary has promised to “end the 8am scramble” from Wednesday by forcing practices to let patients request appointments online throughout opening hours.

Currently, practices can suspend online bookings when they get too busy, leading to engaged phone lines and many patients struggling to get through, particularly the elderly.

However, the British Medical Association claims that without more resources the changes could create a 'critical patient safety issue'.

The union will launch a formal dispute if the government does not halt the plan in the next 48 hours.