The dispute follows GPs' rejection of a £9.5m additional funding offer in the 2025/26 GMS contract.

BMA Northern Ireland GPs committee chair, Frances O'Hagan, said: ‘The decision to take collective action has not been made lightly; it is a last resort to draw attention to the critical needs of the general practice and to advocate for immediate funding and sustainable solutions. 

‘We have taken comprehensive legal advice and are making every effort to ensure that patient care remains as unaffected as possible during collective action. Patients are not the focus of our dispute; it is the department's approach that is forcing us into action.'

Actions taken will include limiting patient consultations to the recommended 25 per day, switching off medicines optimisation software when prescribing (using clinical judgement instead) and refusing to complete unfunded paperwork, including patient registration paperwork verification.

GPs may also serve notice on voluntary activity requested by secondary care and insist on referrals for specialist appointments where clinically appropriate.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: ‘The department recognises that primary care system is under considerable, sustained pressure and GPs and their teams are working hard but are struggling to meet the demand from patients.

‘It will be important that GPs continue to adhere to the terms of their contract while taking any action, that there is no negative impact on patient safety and that access to service is maintained.

‘As the minister has stated, he remains open to discussion as to how best to secure the future of general practice so that it can remain a central part of primary care services now and in the future. The department has invited the NIGPC to engage in formal negotiations to develop a new GMS contract for 2026/27, with the aim of help stabilise practices and enabling practices playing a leading role in the new neighbourhood model of care.'