07 September 2001
Fresh talks on the contract are imminent, with employers' body the NHS Confederation leading negotiations on the government's behalf.
Discussions with ministers stalled earlier this year following a dispute over administrative workloads and the BMA's dismissal of plans to increase GP numbers as inadequate.
But in a move almost certain to yield headlines about poor morale, the BMA this week sent out questionnaires to the UK's 41,000 family doctors.
Doctors will be asked to pass judgement on the government's NHS record, and give their views on home visiting, out-of-hours responsibilities and whether patients should pay for consultations.
One section deals with GPs' retirement plans and what, if any, inducements would persuade them to delay retirement. The government's golden handcuff of £10,000 for staying on until the age of 65 is one of the options listed.
Dr John Chisholm, the BMA GPs' leader, said: 'This survey will put flesh on the bones of GPs' discontent. It will tell us in detail what GPs want for the future and how they are working now.
'We will use it in negotiating a new NHS contract and in all our other work.'
Earlier this year more than half of GPs voted to resign en masse next April should they fail to agree an 'acceptable' contract that relieved the pressure on primary care.
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