GPs and GP registrars from across the country took part in BMA Cymru Wales' online referendum, which ran from 25 November to 16 December, with 99% voting ‘reject' the contract offer.

The BMA's Welsh GP committee, which represents the profession, will now take this mandate to the Welsh Government and ask that they urgently improve the terms on offer. If they choose to ignore the request, the BMA will continue with preparations for collective action by GPs.

Dr Gareth Oelmann, chair of the BMA's Welsh GP committee, said: ‘The profession has delivered a clear message with this result. We simply cannot keep services going and meet the needs of our patients with less money and fewer resources.

‘If we accept the offer as it is more practices will undoubtedly close leaving patients in greater peril, that's why GPs from across Wales have taken a stand.'

He added: 'The Welsh Government has once again chosen to disregard our major, evidence-based concerns with this derisory offer.

 'We know that if general practice had a fairer portion of NHS funding for the wide-ranging portfolio of services we provide, the NHS in Wales would have a far greater chance of success, and most importantly, benefit patients overall.'