Dr Katie Bramall on why the new GP contract is unsafe and how GPs can fight back

About this episode

Dr Katie Bramall discusses the implications of the new GP contract and how GPs can respond to it.

BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall speaks to Emma about the 2026/27 GP contract and the BMA’s referendum on the deal, which launched this week. Katie explains why she thinks the 2026/27 contract is a bad deal for general practice and some of the problems around same-day access, advice and guidance and practice funding. She talks about what happens if GPs reject the deal in the referendum, which may mean the profession begins taking action from as early as 1 April. Katie raises the prospect of a ballot on more serious action that could put practices in breach of their contract later in the summer if there is no movement from the government on the contract. She also talks about the government’s plans for a neighbourhood NHS and how this will affect general practice and explains new BMA guidance on what practices and GPs should be doing now. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links BMA briefing paper on neighbourhoods What's in the GP contract for 2026/27? GP referral change revealed as NHS plays down same-day access impact Viewpoint: Why mandatory advice and guidance risks a patient safety fiasco Why the…

People in this episode

Host: Emma

Guest: Dr Katie Bramall

Topics covered

• GP contract
• general practice
• BMA referendum
• healthcare funding
• NHS neighbourhood plans
• GP profession

Keywords

• GP contract
• BMA
• general practice
• healthcare
• NHS
• referendum
• funding
• same-day access

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BMA, NHS, BMA England GP committee

More episodes of Talking General Practice

• Lessons from a pioneering practice on making neighbourhood health work · May 8, 2026 · 33 min
• Can the NHS win GPs over on advice and guidance, plus GP partnership fears · May 1, 2026 · 34 min
• Why more research should happen in general practice - and how to get involved · April 24, 2026 · 29 min
• Why experienced GPs are leaving the NHS, spiralling GP workload, collective action · April 17, 2026 · 28 min
• Improving perinatal care and the role of primary care · April 10, 2026 · 34 min
• What happens now GPs have rejected the contract, plus will GP pay rise by 3.5%? · April 3, 2026 · 34 min