GP leader Dr John Chisholm will address the conference

The conference heard that while GPs agree with the desire for reform, they believe that the proposals laid down in the NHS Plan are undeliverable without extra resources. This means more doctors and non-medical staff.

Ministers were accused of stoking up patient demand to unreasonable levels.

'A national disgrace'

One motion warned primary care could "collapse".

Dr Tony Rimmer, a GP from North Cheshire, told the conference: "The system in which we work is nothing short of a national disgrace."

Listen up, Messrs Blair and Milburn

Dr Patrick Seal

And Dr Patrick Seal from Dorset said: "Listen up Messrs Blair and Milburn, we are not by nature a pugnacious lot. Please do not allow your thumping majority to be an excuse to give us a good thumping."

Other speakers said clinical need, not a 48-hour target, should determine when GPs see patients.

They warned that, without extra resources, such a demand could compromise the quality of care that doctors can offer to patients who really need their attention.

GPs said following last month's ballot, the BMA should begin to consider how sanctions, or a "work to rule" could operate.

Dr Kambiz Boomla, a GP from east London, told GPs they should follow the example of workers on the tube, who he said, retained public sympathy with them because they made it clear they were striking over safety.

He suggested ways of taking limited action was to impose the 15 minute consultations GPs feel is ideal, or for local GPs to protest on the steps of the local trust.

Representatives argued that NHS staff are reeling from too much change in too short a period of time.

They called for new initiatives to be properly evaluated before they are introduced.

Crisis

Dr John Chisholm, chairman of the BMA's GP Committee, won a standing ovation when he told the conference that a new contract that protected the health and wellbeing of both patients and doctors was badly needed.

He outlined the growing crisis in recruitment and retention in general practice:

• Nearly one in ten vacancies remain unfilled after 12 months
• Over 40% of vacancies have been outstanding for over a year
• At least a quarter of GPs are planning to retire before the age of 60