Health Secretary Wes Streeting has accused the British Medical Association (BMA) of being “impossible” and issuing “misleading” information, escalating tensions with the doctors' union. In a letter to England’s 50,000 GPs, Streeting criticised the BMA over recent changes that made it easier for patients to contact them online between 8am and 6.30pm on weekdays.
The letter was prompted by a speech from Dr Katie Bramall, head of the BMA’s GP committee, who accused ministers of being “traitors” and of “disingenuousness”, “duplicity” and “gaslighting”. Streeting described the speech as “deeply unprofessional” and “misleading”, noting that the BMA had agreed to the contract changes in February 2025.
Streeting has ended the BMA’s longstanding role as the sole negotiator of the annual GP contract, which covers pay and terms. He will consult other bodies, including the Royal College of GPs and the NHS Confederation, for the 2026-27 contract. The BMA’s chair of council, Dr Tom Dolphin, criticised the move, saying the government should have contacted the union privately.
The row comes amid ongoing strikes by resident doctors, who have staged 13 walkouts since March 2023. The BMA’s resident doctors committee is considering a 14th strike before Christmas, as its legal mandate expires on 6 January. NHS England boss Sir Jim Mackey urged the union to end the “doom loop” of strikes, warning each action costs £250m and forces the NHS to prioritise safe care.
Responding to Streeting’s letter, Dr Bramall said a BMA survey found 42% of practices had reduced face-to-face appointments due to online communications. “Fewer appointments and practice meltdown isn’t a win for patients or the profession,” she said.
