Senior doctors in Scotland have warned the Scottish Government is relying on a “sticking plaster” approach to keeping NHS services safe as BMA Scotland announced consultants will be balloted on strike action.
Dr Joanna Bredski, chair of BMA Scottish consultants committee, said the Scottish Government is taking senior doctors for granted by relying on them working beyond their agreed roles and responsibilities to keep services afloat.
However there has been an “incredibly frustrating” refusal by Cabinet Secretary for Health, Angela Constance, to enter talks to discuss how to improve working conditions.
Dr Bredski says consultants feel devalued and taken for granted at a time when the Scottish Government is planning radical reform and senior doctors will be essential to creating NHS services fit for the future.
She said: “We all care about our patients and the services we provide. Many of us find ourselves working way beyond our agreed roles and responsibilities to keep the services we work in safe and keep services afloat.
“The Scottish Government is banking on us to continue doing this – but this is in no way a solution and it cannot rely forever on this sticking plaster approach.
“Patients deserve far better than exhausted and burnt-out doctors working far beyond what is expected, in services riddled with vacancies which are reliant on the goodwill of senior doctors to keep running safely.
“It begs the obvious question: how can the Scottish government not understand how essential senior doctors are in maintaining the NHS and creating services fit for the future?”
Dr Bredski said the Scottish Government has also reneged for the second year in a row on a promise to tackle pay erosion and not simply impose the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Renumeration (DDRB).
She said: “The Scottish Government made a promise just two years ago to negotiate on pay – yet now they are intent on breaking this promise for the second year in a row. No union can accept that if it is properly representing its members.
“We have seen our pay eroded by 23% since 2008. This devaluing of our profession, while at the same time taking us all for granted, must end.
“It is not unreasonable to expect to have a safe and sustainable working patterns that don’t fuel more and more burnout among senior doctors. It is not unreasonable to expect the Scottish Government to work with us to tackle pay erosion, as they promised to do in our 2024 pay negotiations.
“We all care about our patients and the services we provide and taking any industrial action would be a last resort. We need the Scottish Government to be reasonable and come back to the table and talk to us constructively.
“Let’s be clear – we are prepared to stand up for senior doctors and ensure they are properly valued. It is the only way to ensure that patient safety and high-quality services are prioritised and sustainably achieved in the long-term.”
Notes to editors
The BMA’s Scottish consultants committee will now request permission from the BMA’s UK Council to go ahead with ballot, in line with the BMA’s agreed internal process. Should that application be successful, decisions about the date of the ballot will then be confirmed.
The BMA’s Specialist, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor Committee (SSASC) also entered into formal dispute with the Scottish Government and will be meeting on September 16 to make a decision on moving to ballot.
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.