A court action could block the controversial transfer of data from practices to NHS Digital, campaigners announced last night. The Doctors’ Association UK has joined other campaign groups, including the National Pensioners Convention, in threatening a legal action, alleging there is inadequate patient consent for the transfer. Other campaigners include openDemocracy and Conservative MP David…

Practices are beginning to withdraw from the COVID-19 vaccination programme to concentrate on basic services, it has been reported. The Independent quotes examples of practices and primary care networks that have opted out of further vaccination responsibilities. Many networks made a decision in March not to sign up for phase 2 of the programme, it…

GP leaders have called for a national campaign to explain new proposals for sharing data from general practices – amid growing concern about public ignorance of the project. One group of practices, in Tower Hamlets, London, is to refuse to cooperate with the NHS Digital project until the public is better informed, the Guardian reported…

Staff in most Scottish practices have faced abuse in the last month – with patient behaviour deteriorating in the last year, according to the findings of a survey published today. The British Medical Association survey found a significant majority of GPs reporting themselves at “breaking point” and ready for early retirement. Some 663 GPs completed…

Practice managers have launched their own campaign against abuse of staff amid concerns about the impact of the public being told they should expect to see a GP in person. The campaign follows growing tension between general practice and NHS England over instructions to allow patients direct access to face to face appointments. Last week…

The row between practices and NHS England escalated today as new instructions were issued on increasing use of the controversial e-consult systems. It followed a vote of no confidence in NHS England delivered yesterday by the British Medical Association’s GP committee, breaking current talks on contracts and other matters. The dispute was triggered by last…

General practice leaders are seeking an urgent meeting with health secretary Matt Hancock over controversial orders to deliver more face to face appointments. Mr Hancock earlier this week defended an NHS England letter, sent last week, apparently ordered practices to enable patients to book face to face appointments directly. It marked the end of “total…