Hard-pressed GPs in Northern Ireland have announced a sweeping series of measures aimed at reducing the pressure on their practices.

The doctors say the measures will reduce red-tape and unnecessary work and give them more time with patients.

Under the restrictions they will refuse to do paperwork for insurance companies or personal independence payments.

GPs have taken the step as there has been little sign of a working regional government emerging – although the Democratic Unionist Party may play a role in the UK government.

They have been threatening to resign from the NHS.

Under the latest steps, many appointments will be switched to telephone triage – and practices will refuse to undertake administrative tasks they believe should be done by hospitals. This includes undertaking re-referrals when patients have missed an out-patient appointment – and requiring hospitals to send test results directly to patients.

Practices will also refuse to organise ambulance transport for patients attending routine out-patient clinics.

And they will refuse to write prescriptions for items that can be bought “for a small charge” at a pharmacist.

Dr Tom Black, who chairs the British Medical Association’s regional GP committee, said: “In the absence of a rescue plan for general practice, and to help address the ongoing crisis and as a response to funding cuts, we have had to take steps to withdraw some services, so that we can maintain our core service – seeing patients.

“GP practices have to prioritise clinical work – actual time spent with patients – by withdrawing some services previously provided by practices. This will free up more GP time for direct patient care.”