Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

GPs in favour of mass strikes over new contract that compels them to work on Saturdays and evenings

The changes mean GPs need to offer appointments from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, as well as until 8pm on weekdays.

GPs in favour of mass strikes over new contract that compels them to work on Saturdays and evenings

Doctors at the British Medical Association (BMA) annual conference in Brighton called on BMA leaders to “organise opposition” to a new contract – which forces practices to open on Saturdays – “including industrial action if necessary.”

While the industrial action clause was supported by 57 percent of the members, 26 percent decided to abstain and 17 percent voted against the motion. The other parts of the motion were also passed – calling on the BMA to organise the withdrawal of General Practitioners (GP) practices from Primary Care Networks (PCNs) by 2023. In total, 61 percent voted in favour of this.


According to a report in The Sun, they claim PCNs are inflexible and bureaucratic and that money for the scheme should form part of the GP contract.

PCNs involve groups of GP practices working with the community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital, and voluntary services in their local areas. However, some GPs see them as diluting the quality of patient care.

Dr. Jackie Applebee, a London GP who proposed the overall motion is quoted as saying, “We can’t trust this Government to protect general practice or indeed the wider NHS. They’ve been in power for 12 years, but things are only getting worse.”

“The new contracts have already effectively been imposed. How much more can we take?” she said. Hailing the striking rail union, she went on to say, “We should take our lead from the RMT. They have quite rightly said enough is enough. No more pay erosion, no more service cuts.” The RMT stands for the National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers.

She added, “solidarity to them” and urged medics to channel their “inner Mick Lynch”, referring to the RMT leader.

Though GPs are unlikely to walk out, the way rail workers did and emergency and urgent care are unlikely to stop, the GPs could refuse to carry out other routine work and also cut their hours.

While the motion for potential industrial action was carried out, the BMA's chair of the general practice committee in England Dr. Farah Jameel warned members that because turnout was so low in a 2021 poll in support of industrial action, the union could not act on it. Therefore, for industrial action to happen, a new ballot would be needed with more than 50 percent of eligible GP members voting in favour. Even then, BMA Council would need to agree for a full ballot to take place. So, a potential walkout is still some way off.

In a statement posted on her Twitter account, she said, “Workforce data for January show pressures in general practice continue to escalate with no signs of abating. Without a workable plan to recruit and retain staff, even more GPs will be driven to the brink of exhaustion and burnout.”

More For You

Apollo-BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. (Photo: BCCI)

Apollo Tyres replaces Dream11 as Team India’s lead sponsor until 2028

INDIAN cricket has signed Apollo Tyres as its new lead sponsor after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract following a government ban on online gambling.

The men's team travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing Asia Cup without a sponsor on their shirts after Dream11 exited the deal, which was worth about $44 million and was set to run until 2026.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sydney Sweeney

Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026

Getty Images

Sydney Sweeney offered £45m to star in big-budget Bollywood film

Highlights:

  • Sydney Sweeney reportedly offered £45m for a leading role in a major Bollywood film
  • The package includes £35m in fees and £10M in sponsorship deals
  • Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026 across New York, Paris, London, and Dubai
  • The project could make Sweeney one of the highest-paid Hollywood stars to join Indian cinema

A record-breaking offer

Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney has reportedly been approached with a staggering £45M deal to star in one of the most expensive Bollywood films ever produced.

The 28-year-old Euphoria and The White Lotus star is said to have been offered £35m in fees plus an additional £10m through sponsorship agreements.

Keep ReadingShow less
Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of crypto casinos, one platform is standing out for its innovative gameplay, unmatched rewards, and community-driven growth — Toshi.bet. Recognized by CoinMarketCap as a pioneer in crypto gaming, Toshi.bet is transforming how players interact with digital assets while gaming.

Why Toshi.bet Is Leading the Crypto Casino Industry

1. Best Rewards in Crypto Gaming

Keep ReadingShow less
China Nvidia chip ban

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports

iStock

China reportedly bans Nvidia chip sales as CEO expresses disappointment

Highlights:

  • China’s Cyberspace Administration has reportedly ordered tech firms to stop using Nvidia’s AI chips
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says he is “disappointed” but will remain “patient”
  • Huang is visiting the UK alongside other tech leaders during Donald Trump’s state visit
  • Nvidia became the world’s first $4tn company earlier in 2025 amid the AI boom

Huang responds to reported China directive

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports that China has told its leading technology firms to halt purchases of the company’s artificial intelligence chips.

Speaking to reporters in the UK, Huang added that he would remain “patient” in light of the reported order from China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration. “There are a lot of places we can’t go to, and that’s fine,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tagenarine Chanderpaul,

Tagenarine Chanderpaul. (Photo by PAT HOELSCHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Chanderpaul, Athanaze return as West Indies name squad for India tour

BATSMEN Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze were recalled to the West Indies ranks when they were named in the squad to tour India on Tuesday (16) while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre is included for the first time.

The two-Test series, with matches in Ahmedabad and Delhi, marks the West Indies' first tour to India since 2018 and forms part of the World Test Championship.

Keep ReadingShow less