GPs in England are stepping up collective action against their 2026/27 contract offer.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has asked GP surgeries to reject new requests from hospitals to take over prescribing and monitoring responsibilities for a patient.

So-called shared care agreements would allow GPs to prescribe specialist drugs for the immune system, heart and lungs, or to treat ongoing prostate cancer or osteoporosis.

BMA general practitioners committee for England chairwoman Dr Katie Bramall said: “This next phase of collective action is about GPs rejecting the transfer of additional work from hospitals to practices – beyond their existing contractual arrangements with the NHS – that is too often unsafe and unfunded.

“For the sake of safe patient care and keeping local GP surgeries open and viable, practices will therefore refuse any new requests for shared care, if these are inappropriately resourced.

“Once commissioners have drawn up formal proposals which are safe and sustainable, GP practices with capacity may be able to take on more specialist prescribing and deliver more care closer to home for their patients.”

Moving care from hospitals to the community is one of the key aspects of the government’s flagship 10-year health plan for England.

The Department of Health and Social Care said that it remains “committed to working with the BMA to resolve outstanding issues and avoid escalation.

“We expect all providers of NHS care to act in the best interests of patients, make responsible use of public funds and work in line with established clinical guidance and local prescribing arrangements.

“We don’t anticipate a significant impact on patient services, and patients should continue to contact their GP as usual.”