A rift in a medical practice could prompt major changes in the way GPs conduct themselves in similar disputes across the country.

The controversy which followed the split at York Medical Group (YMG), in which six GPs took out an injunction against two colleagues who left the practice, could be discussed as part of an overhaul of GPs' contracts.

York MP Hugh Bayley has received an assurance from a Government health minister that the issue of a patient's right to choose their GP will be examined in new legislation.

Mr Bayley became involved in the row after patients of Drs Gillian Towler and Martin Ashley told him their right to choose a GP had been compromised, as the two doctors were barred from treating their former patients from YMG.

Mr Bayley wrote to health minister John Hutton to express his concern, saying that patients had to take priority.

In his reply, Mr Hutton states: "Patient choice needs to be strengthened. I have asked officials to consider further what could be done to maintain patient choice, possibly within the remit of the new GP contract."

Both the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Department of Health said they could not comment on the overhaul of the GP contract until it is published on April 19.

But a BMA spokeswoman said the current procedures for funding GP services meant that restrictive covenants might have to remain a fact of life.