GPs in Northern Ireland have taken a fresh step towards quitting the NHS in protest at the rising pressure on practices.

Some 97% of 200 doctors attending a meeting in Belfast backed the idea of signing undated letters of resignation.

The British Medical Association says the Northern Ireland government has failed to respond adequately to its calls for a rescue plan for general practice.

It wants 10% of the regional NHS budget to go to primary care together with reductions in red-tape and improvements in IT systems. It also wants more GPs to be trained.

Four more GP meetings are to be held across Northern Ireland on the topic.

Dr Tom Black, who chairs the BMA’s regional GP committee, said: “We obviously knew things were bad in general practice but we didn’t realise things were that bad. The turnout tonight shows how much pressure we are under.

“What we have heard tonight are the very issues we have been flagging up in general practice for many months now and unfortunately it looks like it’s crunch time.

“While there were some positive announcements by Minister O’Neill as part of her Health and Wellbeing plans, until we have greater clarity about the funding for these initiatives we need to move forward with our own plans.”