GPS IN WORK TO RULE VOTE

Ballot could lead to limit on patients seen per day

- MARTIN BAGOT

THOUSANDS of GPs are voting whether to start "work to rule" industrial action over a new pay contract that is blamed for hundreds of surgeries closing.

The British Medical Association opened its ballot of partners in England yesterday over the move that would involve them limiting the number of patients they see.

While the result will not allow practice owners to initiate strikes, GPS could reduce daily appointments to the recognised safe working maximum level of 25 from August.

The exodus of family doctors has left those that remain each seeing an average of 37 patients a day, amid record waits for appointments.

The ballot will close on June 29.