BREAKING: Tensions between UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the British Medical Association (BMA) escalated today as Streeting accused the union’s top GP, Dr. Katie Bramall, of lying and being “deeply unprofessional.” This urgent conflict follows Streeting’s announcement that he is stripping the BMA of its role as the sole negotiator of the NHS GP contract.
In a letter sent to family doctors earlier today, Streeting stated that the BMA’s representatives have made it “impossible” for his team to engage in “good faith.” He signaled a shift in consultation strategy, indicating that negotiations for contract changes beginning next year will now involve other organizations, including the Royal College of GPs and Healthwatch England.
Streeting’s frustration has mounted over the BMA’s opposition to new online booking systems, which he claims were approved by the BMA in February 2025. He criticized Bramall’s recent comments, which branded the government as “traitors” to the profession. In his letter, he remarked, “This speech was not just deeply unprofessional and unbecoming of a professional representative body, it was misleading.”
The BMA has historically been the lone voice in negotiations with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, but Streeting’s decision represents a significant shift in approach, aimed at incorporating diverse perspectives, including patient voices.
The BMA responded swiftly, with Dr. David Wrigley, deputy chair of the BMA’s GP Committee, labeling the government’s actions as shocking and an attempt to undermine the union. He stated, “The universal reaction from GPs on dozens of groups is one of dismay and loss of faith in the [Government]. A serious misstep.”
This confrontation comes at a critical time as the government had previously canceled all meetings with the BMA’s GP Committee, intensifying the standoff. Streeting’s direct communication with GPs echoes his earlier strategy with resident doctors, where he urged them to bypass union strikes, indicating a growing rift between the government and the medical community.
Dr. Bramall has also expressed her willingness to collaborate with the government despite ongoing tensions. She stated, “We stand ready to put things right, as is our duty to the staff and patients we represent.”
As this situation develops, the future of GP negotiations remains uncertain, with significant implications for healthcare delivery in the UK. Observers are keenly watching how this conflict will unfold and what it means for both medical professionals and patients alike.
Stay tuned for updates on this breaking story as more information becomes available.
