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Northern Ireland GPs Revolt Against Imposed Contract, Seek Negotiations
16 Nov
Summary
- GPs in Northern Ireland pass no-confidence vote in health minister
- GPs reject £9 million contract, say £80 million needed to stabilize services
- GPs consider operating outside NHS structures as "Plan B"
On November 16th, 2025, GPs in Northern Ireland took a bold stand against the health minister, passing a no-confidence vote in response to his decision to impose a contract they had previously rejected. The British Medical Association's Northern Ireland Local Medical Committee Conference in Belfast overwhelmingly supported the motion, which they see as a "cry" to the minister to resume negotiations on funding general practice.
The GPs are deeply frustrated by the £9 million offered as part of the contract, which they say falls far short of the £80 million they had identified as necessary to stabilize general practice services in the region. In addition to the no-confidence vote, the conference also agreed to examine options for how GPs could operate outside the current NHS structures, a move seen as a potential "Plan B" if the impasse with the minister continues.
