Talks are to resume on next year’s practice contracts following a boycott because of the growing row about access in the months following the pandemic.

GP leaders are to return to talks with government officials after the three month boycott following a row about “damaging communications.”

The British Medical Association suspended relations with NHS England after the organisation issued instructions to GPs to offer face to face appointments. GP leaders said this was pandering to media allegations that doctors were refusing to see patients. Recently NHS England offered some concessions to practices, offering to delay some new service requirements to be placed on primary care networks. The BMA said its GP committee has now voted to resume relationships after a lengthy debate. Several doctors are reported to have left the committee following the debate.

Chair Dr Richard Vautrey said: “There is no doubt that GPs – who have pushed themselves to breaking point over the last 18 months to continue providing a service and caring for patients – have been left frustrated, angry and disappointed with the repeated failures of NHSEI and the Government to recognise and celebrate their contribution during the pandemic response. Whilst we have seen some initial signs of progress, there is still much work to be done in proving that both the Government and NHSEI value family doctors and their teams.

“However, if we are not at the table, it is significantly harder for us to advocate for grassroots GPs and push for changes that secure the best for our members at a time that is so crucial for the profession. As reflected in yesterday’s debate and the result of the subsequent vote, NHS England and the Government have a long way to go in persuading the profession that they are committed to addressing the crisis in general practice and will support doctors and their teams who are at their wits’ end.”

He added: “Not least, we expect these organisations to promote and defend those working in general practice, most urgently in the face of the sustained attacks on our members within certain sections of the media.”