Wes Streeting has accused the British Medical Association (BMA) of being “impossible” and issuing “misleading” information in an escalation of tensions with the doctors union.

In an unusual move, the health secretary wrote on Thursday to England’s 50,000 GPs to convey his frustration with the BMA over recent changes that from last month made it easier for patients to contact them online between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

He has underlined his concern about the union’s behaviour by ending its longstanding role as the sole negotiator of the annual GP contract which covers doctors’ pay and terms and conditions.

Streeting’s letter was prompted by a recent speech by the head of the BMA’s GP committee, Dr Katie Bramall, in which she accused ministers of being “traitors” to their pro

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