BMA press releases archive

Initial response to the Secretary of State's letter to the BMA on industrial action

For immediate release: 11 June 2012

Initial response to the Secretary of State's letter to the BMA on industrial action

In an initial response to the Secretary of State’s open letter to Hamish Meldrum on the BMA’s industrial action, Dr Hamish Meldrum Chairman of BMA Council said:

“It remains our wish for the government to listen to the concerns of doctors and agree to meaningful negotiations to find a fairer way forward. We have always made it clear that we are taking industrial action reluctantly and would far prefer not to take it at all. We are not asking for special or preferential treatment just fair treatment.

“The Secretary of State has not addressed the feeling of betrayal felt by doctors. NHS staff agreed major changes to their pension scheme through negotiation in 2008 to make it sustainable for the future. This involved a big hike in contributions, and the introduction of tiered contributions to protect lower paid workers. It also meant an increase in pension age for new entrants, and staff – not taxpayers – taking on responsibility for any further increases needed to cover increases in costs, such as those created by people living longer. Only four years later the government has torn up this agreement. Currently, the scheme is delivering £2bn to the treasury every year. This is why NHS staff feel so let down and why further changes are unnecessary.

“We are working closely with NHS managers to plan the day of action and to ensure any postponed appointments or operations are rearranged so that patients are given as much notice as possible. Patient safety will be our absolute priority. Doctors will be in their usual places of work and providing urgent and emergency care to all those who need it.

“We will be considering the contents of the letter and will reply to the Secretary of State shortly.”
Ends