Many GPs are willing to support extended practice closures as part of industrial action, it was reported today.

A survey found that 31% of GP partners would shut their practices for a week and 54% would close for a day. Some 46% said they would provide undated resignations – a mechanism that has been used previously when GPs are in dispute with the Government.

GPs have been at loggerheads with the Government over contractual changes and over the blame for the difficulties patients face in getting appointments. This has been compounded by the 6% pay award and last week the British Medical Association’s GP committee for England took controversial steps to change its leadership ahead of the looming dispute.

The latest indication of strength of feeling comes from a survey undertaken by Pulse magazine, involving 362 GP partners.

One GP Dr Pete Deveson, of Surrey, said: “I would be delighted to join my junior and consultant colleagues in industrial action to improve the pay and conditions of NHS doctors, if such action could be effectively co-ordinated by the BMA.”

Another unnamed doctor said: “We do not have public opinion on our side at present. The workload is already overwhelming. Stopping for a day would just add to work the following few days. I would not want to put patients at risk.”

New indications of the politics surrounding general practice came when the Liberal Democrats released their latest analysis of appointment delays today. They report that 38 million people have waited for longer than two weeks for an appointment since the Government said it would put an end to delays of this length in September.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “Conservative ministers must listen for once and come up with a plan to tackle the GP crisis before parliament returns. That should include a recruitment campaign over the summer to encourage retired GPs back to work.”

The Department of Health said practices had agreed a five year funding deal in 2019 and this remains in force. It said the latest 6% increase will be backdated to April and should be “passed on promptly to all general practice staff.”