The committee is calling for the Government to directly negotiate a new practice contract with the committee.

From 4-25 March, GPC England will hold a referendum of all GPs and GP registrars across England on the changes imposed from 1 April.  GPC England will ask its members if they accept the Government's changes or if they want them to return to direct negotiations with BMA leaders to jointly develop a new practice contract that restores the viability of GP partnerships, provides fair remuneration of all GPs and implements workload safeguards to keep patients and practice staff safe.

GPC England chair Dr Katie Bramall said: 'GPs are hardworking, dedicated professionals, but we are not magicians. We can't bend the rules of physics and provide unlimited same-day urgent care as well as unlimited planned and routine care, all whilst hospital trusts are enabled to reject our referrals so that we are trying to manage the impossible and unsafe. Premises are outdated and crumbling, demand is spiralling out of control without the workforce or resource to support it, and despite Government rhetoric we are drowning in bureaucracy. GPs are in despair, uncertain how on Earth they can achieve the Government's unrealistic expectations and fear this contract will drive away more experienced GPs increasing the risk of further practice closures.

'Unless we see the Government return to the negotiating table and enter into serious one-to-one negotiations over a new contract with GPCE - as promised repeatedly by secretary of state Wes Streeting - to restore the viability of partnerships and practices, deliver safe working practices for patients and fair remuneration for all GPs, the profession will be left with no alternative but to escalate to action to protect ourselves and our patients.'