More than eight in ten people are worried about the future of the NHS if the country loses senior doctors, a survey1 from the BMA has found, as consultants in England vote for industrial action.
In a ballot2 that closed today, 76% of consultants said they would be willing to take industrial action, meaning they now have a mandate for strike action over the next 12 months.
The ballot result comes as an independent survey commissioned by the BMA found that 84% of people were concerned about the future of the NHS if the country lost senior doctors as a result of devaluing them.
Meanwhile, the top reasons supported by the public for senior doctors taking industrial action were burnout and excessive workload, and repeated cuts to pay and recognition3.
The BMA is now warning the Government that resolving its disputes with consultants by addressing these issues must be prioritised, whatever leadership changes take place in the coming weeks and months.
BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said:
“This is a clear message from consultants in England that they are not willing to tolerate the continued attack on their pay and professional value, and that, if necessary, they are willing to act.
“Consultants are the most senior and expert doctors working in hospitals, but by failing to recognise and support them to be the best clinical leaders, working tirelessly to improve care for patients, we risk losing them. The impact this would have on an already struggling NHS would be dire and it is something the public are clearly very concerned about – so why are our politicians not worried too?
“With a new Prime Minister taking charge in a few weeks’ time, action now to avoid both the exodus of consultants and more industrial action by doctors in England is something that the Government needs at the top of its in-tray.
“No strikes need to take place if the Government addresses these issues, but we now have a mandate that consultants are prepared to use if it does not act.”
Meanwhile a ballot of specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors narrowly missed out on the legal turnout threshold, despite a clear majority of those who took part voting in favour of industrial action4.
90% of SAS doctors voted for industrial action, on a turnout of 43%.
BMA SAS committee chair Dr Ujjwala Mohite said:
“It’s disappointing that, due to restrictive trade union legislation, this ballot result will not give us a mandate for industrial action.
“However, it does send a clear message that those SAS doctors who voted are sick and tired of being devalued, and are willing to act. This cannot be ignored by the Government.
“We are still in dispute and will be discussing next steps. As the often-forgotten backbone of the NHS and amid still-high waiting lists, it would be foolish of any Government to not use our skills and experience to their full potential.
“SAS doctors back our consultant colleagues as they decide their own next steps, backed by their mandate, in securing a better future for senior doctors in the NHS.”
Ends
Notes to editors
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.
- 1,742 people in England took part in an independent survey commissioned by the BMA between 12 and 14 May.
Respondents were asked: “An NHS consultant is an experienced clinician who has overall responsibility for the patients referred to them. Additionally, they teach and train students and resident doctors and contribute to the NHS through research and clinical leadership. The BMA (the doctors union) believes that the erosion of consultants' leadership role and their terms and conditions may contribute to an increasing number of senior doctors reducing their hours, retiring early, or leaving the NHS entirely. Based on everything you know, how concerned for the future of the NHS would you be in this scenario?”
44% (759) said they were greatly concerned
40% (699) said they were slightly concerned
5% (91) said they were slightly unconcerned
4% (67) said they were not at all concerned
7% (126) said they didn’t know - 35,067 consultants in England were eligible to vote. 18,069 votes were cast (turnout 51.53%).
In answer to the question “Are you prepared to take part in strike action?”:
13,695 (75.81%) said yes
4,369 (24.19%) said no
5 spoilt or otherwise invalid voting papers returned - Respondents were asked: “Senior doctors such as Consultants and SAS Doctors in the NHS play a vital role in overseeing patient care in hospitals. When thinking about the role these doctors play, which do you think are reasonable issues over which to consider taking industrial action?”
56% (983) said “burnout and excessive workload”
49% (846) said “pay and reward declining over many years”
39% (683) said “the toll of out of hours ‘on call’ work”
32% (562) said “not enough dedicated time for vital personal learning and development”
21% (363) said “lack of clear progression”
19% (327) said “barriers to accessing pensions and taking early retirement”
16% (275) said “none of the above” - 6,369 SAS doctors in England were eligible to vote. 2,738 votes were cast (turnout 42.99%).
In answer to the question “Are you prepared to take part in strike action?”:
2,461 (89.98%) said yes
274 (10.02%) said no
3 spoilt or otherwise invalid voting papers returned - The BMA’s consultants committee believes consultants need to have more protected time to focus on innovation, teaching future generations of clinicians and improving services for patients, a reduction in standard hours and better recognition for the most demanding out of hours work to reduce burnout and improve retention.
The BMA’s SAS committee is seeking similar reforms for SAS doctors, as well as changes to ensure parity with other groups, and improvements to career progression.
Both groups have seen their pay fall by around a quarter since 2008/09 and are calling for action to reverse this.
Find more about the consultants’ campaign in England here.
Find more about the SAS doctors’ campaign in England here.