Nearly two-thirds of GP practices (65 per cent) have switched off GP Connect Update Record functionality as part of the BMA’s ongoing collective action, disrupting Pharmacy First information-sharing between pharmacists and GPs.

Update Record allows information about patient consultations outside of general practice to be shared safely with GPs, so information can be updated in the patient record.

A survey published in Pulse found a further 17 per cent of respondents saying they were still considering whether to turn off the functionality in the future, with just 13 per cent not planning on taking this action.

Almost half (46 per cent) of England’s GP practices are taking some form of collective action, with an additional 20 per cent saying they will engage with it in the future, according to Pulse. Only 7 per cent said that they would not engage in collective action.

Pharmacy leaders have expressed concern about the potential impact the strike action could have on pharmacies.

Alastair Buxton, director of NHS Services at Community Pharmacy England, said: “If patients can’t access their GP practice, many will turn to their local pharmacies. However, any unplanned surge in people seeking help will exacerbate a sector that is already working at full capacity.

“A significant concern is that even more patients will be informally signposted to pharmacies rather than being electronically referred to the Pharmacy First service, transferring workload to community pharmacies which will be unfunded by the NHS,” he warned.