National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society response to General Practitioner collective action in England09 August 2024 Working alongside the NHS in providing support to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), we fully understand the unprecedented pressure the system is currently dealing with. GP practices are vital for individuals living with RA and JIA to obtain diagnosis and for long term management of their condition. As a patient organisation, we representpeople living with RA and JIA, striving to highlight their lived experiences, especially in accessing treatment and care. The British Medical Association (BMA), a trade union which represents doctors, has announced that GPs have voted in favour of taking part in collective action from 1 August 2024. BMA says the action will target NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) rather than patients. What is collective action? This is a term being used by the BMA to explain a list of actions GP practices can take to deliver exactly what their GP contract obliges them to do, a kind of “work to rule” (an action by which employees strictly adhere to the minimum requirements on their job). The action advises GPs to select at least one or more activities from a list of 10 but some GPs may not take part at all. It is expected to continue for some time, but there is no end date. This action is not strike action, where the doctors would refuse to see patients, but this is not being ruled out as a potential in the future. The action NRAS believes could impact people with either suspected or diagnosed RA and JIA is the option to limit the number of GP daily consultations to the safe recommended level of 25 people per GP per day. “Collective action” is only applicable for GPs in England. Early diagnosis of RA/JIA is crucial for successful management and prevention of further symptoms and complications. We have heard from patients that it can be difficult to access their GP and we are concerned that collective action might further impact patient’s access to appropriate care. This could potentially push additional demand on other services which are already under immense pressure. To help patients and support our NHS colleagues during this action, we urge GP practices to reiterate that they will continue to see patients who have need and refer them to alternative services if they cannot get an appointment. If someone suspects they might be experiencing symptoms of RA or JIA, it is important that they seek an appointment with their GP to discuss those symptoms as soon as possible. Click here for more information about how to get the most of out your initial GP appointment We are hopeful the BMA and NHS England will bring this situation to a swift conclusion and remove the additional worry it causes for patients trying to access essential care.