Some GPs say they will lose out under the new deal

Senior members of the British Medical Association decided to postpone the vote at emergency talks over the weekend.

It followed growing opposition to the deal and claims from some GPs that they would lose rather than gain money as a result of the changes.

The decision is a blow to both the BMA and the government, coming just months after consultants rejected similar efforts to change the way they work.

The Conservative Party has called on ministers to resign, saying negotiations are a "complete shambles".

Radical changes

The BMA spent two years negotiating the contract with NHS managers. Ballot papers were due to be sent out last week.

The deal aimed to radically change the way GPs work and the way primary care services are delivered.

Surely even in this government, ministers would conclude that they should not stay in office Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox

In return, GPs were expected to receive a substantial pay rise. BMA leaders suggested the top GPs could see their pay increase by as much as 50%.

However, individual GPs have claimed they will actually lose out. The new contract proposes significant changes to the way GPs are paid.

Under the plan, GPs would be paid according to the quality of care they provide. Additional money would also be given to those with the sickest patients and those working in areas with the greatest health needs.

The BMA said it was examining the issue. Dr John Chisholm, chairman of its GPs committee, said: "We fully understand GPs' concerns and anxieties. We have decided to suspend the ballot on the acceptability of the contract temporarily, until we have analysed the nature and size of the problem and can put forward solutions."

Mike Farrar of the NHS Confederation, who led negotiations on behalf of the government, said: "The delay to the ballot will enable us to work with the BMA to examine the concerns being raised by GPs, and to ensure the contract will deliver our commitment to boost the income of all practices providing higher quality care."

'Complete shambles'

But Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "The whole affair is a complete shambles. Now that GPs have seen the small print, many feel that the government has completely misled them. The rejection of the draft contract by GPs would cause chaos in the NHS."

Dr Fox also called on ministers to resign over the issue. "Surely even in this government, ministers would conclude that they should not stay in office, having clearly lost the confidence not only of the consultants but also the GPs in the NHS."

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Dr Evan Harris said: "It's unacceptable for the government or the BMA to have spent months negotiating a contract only to find that the figures do not add up."