GPs back strike action over face-to-face appointments

The doctors’ union has voted in favour of industrial action - but its new chief has instead called for a “fresh start” with the Government after the vote had a low turnout.

The British Medical Association polled its members as part of protests against a government drive to boost the number of patients being seen face-to-face.

Doctors were asked if they would refuse to comply with specific duties in their contracts as tensions with ministers escalated.

Dr Farah Jameel, who was last week elected as chairman of BMA’s England GP committee, said on Thursday that more than 80 per cent of members had backed such actions.