The government has rebutted BMA calls to reconsider its NHS pension reforms despite doctors overwhelmingly voting to reject the proposals.
Following a meeting of BMA council, the union has formally written to the government rejecting the offer and urging them to engage with the BMA and unions representing NHS staff to agree fairer changes.
Eighty four per cent of BMA members who responded to the survey said the latest proposals should be rejected. The survey received a 36% response rate representing the views of over 46,000 doctors. Nearly two-thirds said they would personally be prepared to take industrial action to pursue changes to the proposals.
As well as writing to the government, the BMA is working up detailed plans on taking industrial action.
The BMA received a swift rebuttal from the health secretary who responded that the NHS pension proposals are the “best possible deal available”.
In his letter to the BMA, Andrew Lansley said: “I should also, and particularly, emphasise again the point…there is no justification for industrial action. It would harm patients. No concessions on the issues you raised in your letter or on any other issues will be won through the threat or use of industrial action. Nor will the public accept, nor understand, how you can sign up to an excellent deal and walk away from it on the strength of an informal survey to which less than 36% of all your members responded.”
All attempts will be made to ensure that any plans for action would minimise any risk of harm to patients, the BMA says.
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of BMA council said: “The strength and scale of feeling among doctors is abundantly clear - they feel let down and betrayed, and for many this is the final straw.
“Doctors are at the forefront of attempts to save the NHS £20 billion, while trying to protect patient care, are in the midst of huge system reform in England, which is causing chaos in many areas, and are about to enter a fourth successive year of a pay freeze. Now on top of this, they are facing wholesale changes to their pension scheme, which was radically overhauled less than four years ago and is actually delivering a positive cashflow to the Treasury.”
An emergency meeting of BMA Council will be held on 25 February to decide on the options for balloting on industrial action, should there not be a significant change in the government’s position.
Meldrum added: “Forcing doctors to work to almost 70 is one of our most serious concerns as it could put pressure on doctors to work beyond the age at which they feel competent and safe.
“Industrial action remains a last resort and the government must urgently reconsider its damaging plans. The action we are considering is unprecedented in recent decades. This demonstrates the current level of discontent among NHS staff.”
Thirty six per cent of doctors aged 50 and over say they intend to retire early if the changes go ahead.
Although there have been minor improvements on the government’s original offer through negotiation, all doctors still stand to be hit very hard. The retirement age would increase, with many having to work to 68 before being able to draw a full pension. The amount doctors have to pay into their pension would rise significantly, with those at the start of their careers facing the prospect of paying over £200,000 in additional lifetime contributions.
And the current final salary scheme would be replaced with a new career average scheme, which would leave most doctors with worse overall benefits.
Dean Royles, director of the NHS Employers, commented: “Talks are the best way to secure a final deal. The NHS scheme talks are complex involving over a dozen unions so it’s therefore welcome that, along with a number of other unions, the BMA will continue the discussions.
“It is essential that everyone now hammers out an agreement. Let’s concentrate on securing the best sustainable deal, not on industrial action which will always be damaging to patient care.”
Read a blog on the issue.
View the full survey results.
Tags: Pensions
The BMA need to do urgent public relations work. The tabloid press are quoting GPs on pensions of £140,000 per year in their headlines, and saying Hamish Meldrum will be on a huge pension too!
The real issue is working until age 68. Nearing 60, I feel I couldn’t do the sheer intensity of work and long hours safely at that age. A 28 year old doctor might not realise this implication as at that stage no one ever thinks that they will age! Some specialities might find it harder than others, for example A&E shifts or surgery. If these measures are forced through then alterations in work patterns will be needed.
Another weak response from the BMA - they need to take a tougher stance with the government. 36% response rate? No wonder we doctors are a joke. The government are laughing. What lazy bastard excuse have the 64% got for not filling out the survey?