30.05.12
BMA vote on industrial action
The result is due this morning of the BMA’s ballot on industrial action, which could halt non-urgent care, including hip and knee replacements.
The doctors’ union has balloted 100,000 medics over proposed changes to their pensions. The Government is to change NHS pensions from a final salary scheme to one based on a career average.
The age or retirement will also rise from 65 to 68 by 2015 and consultants will have to work two and a half extra years to receive the same pension. Doctors have highlighted that the pension scheme was only introduced in 2008 and produces a £2bn a year surplus.
The Government asserts that the changes are necessary to keep pace with an ageing population.
Full strike action has been ruled out, but the BMA has stated that non-urgent care could be stopped, with elective operations cancelled and routine appointments no longer taking place. A&E and maternity departments would run as normal.
The BMA said it had been forced into the measure because of the way the Government had “mishandled the situation by failing to enter into genuine negotiation on the further changes now being imposed on top of the 2008 reforms”.
BMA council chairman Hamish Meldrum said: “Whatever the outcome of the ballot, [today] is hugely significant for the medical profession. The next few months will determine the fairness of future pension provision for our doctors and medical students.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]