The BMA is urging the Government to work with it to restore senior doctors’ pay, value and recognition, as surveys1 of consultants and SAS doctors in England found that a majority are willing to take industrial action.
Following this year’s announcement of a 4% sub-inflationary pay uplift for consultants and SAS (specialist, associate specialist and specialty) doctors, the BMA launched indicative ballots in July. 67% of consultants2 who took part in their poll said they would be willing to take industrial action, with 82% of SAS doctors3 saying the same.
Even with this year’s 4% uplift, pay for consultants is still 26% down in real-terms4 compared with 2008/09, and SAS doctor pay is down 24%5.
BMA leaders representing consultants and SAS doctors will meet separately with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care next week. They will present these latest findings and seek a commitment to work together to address the key issues facing senior doctors.
Both the BMA’s consultants committee and SAS committee will also be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the results.
BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said:
“This is a clear sign of our members’ deep concern over the erosion to their pay, pensions and the value placed in their professionalism, not just in the most recent year, but over the last decade and more.
“Consultants’ pay is still more than a quarter down on 2008 levels, and lagging way behind other professions, which are well on the way to – or have already experienced – having their pay restored6.
“We know from our dispute two years ago that taking industrial action does not come lightly for consultants, but these responses show that they are still willing to stand up to secure much-needed improvements to their working lives and conditions; changes that are so needed to keep consultants and their expertise working here, seeing patients, leading services, innovating treatments, and ultimately improving the health of the wider population.
“We know that the Secretary of State understands that his and the Government’s ambitions to improve health services and the health of the nation cannot be done without our most expert clinicians, and we look forward to discussing how the country can both recruit and retain consultants, and avoid them having to take to the picket line once more.”
BMA SAS committee chair Dr Ujjwala Mohite said:
“SAS doctors are the unsung heroes of the NHS – hardworking, but for too long overlooked and undervalued. Today’s results show that this invaluable group of doctors will no longer take this lying down, and are willing to stand up and be recognised.
“SAS doctors are tired of being taken for granted, and are willing to fight for improvements to pay, career progression and development, so they are no longer the ‘forgotten workforce’.
“The Government ignores this senior medical workforce at its peril, and we’re looking forward to getting around the table to discuss how ministers can properly value and support SAS doctors so that they can excel and continue to offer their full potential to patients and 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. Both surveys took place online between 21 July and 1 September.
2. When asked “Are you prepared to take part in strike action?”, 10,763 out of 16,082 NHS consultants responded “yes”. 35,824 NHS consultant members were eligible to take part (response rate of 45%).
3. When asked “Are you prepared to take part in industrial action (including strike action)?”, 2,409 out of 2,952 SAS doctors responded “yes”. 7,041 SAS doctor members were eligible to take part (response rate of 42%).
4. See more information about consultants’ pay erosion here.
5. See more information about SAS doctors’ pay erosion here.
6. Comparator pay data available here.