SENIOR secondary care doctors in Scotland will be balloted for industrial action next month over concerns they are being “undervalued and ignored” by the Scottish Government, BMA Scotland has announced today.

The ballot will take place from October 26 to December 7 after the Scottish Government refused requests to enter talks to discuss how to improve working conditions and pay – “brazenly” breaking a promise made to senior doctors just two years ago.

Consultants across Scotland will be asked to participate in the vote, which was given the go-ahead by the BMA’s UK Council yesterday. BMA Scotland’s specialty, associate specialist and specialist (SSASC) committee has also voted to ballot for industrial action, and SAS doctors will be balloted in a separate vote held over the same period.

Dr Joanna Bredski, chair of BMA Scottish consultants committee, said:

“We are extremely disappointed that the Scottish Government seems intent on sidelining senior doctors, is unwilling to take our concerns seriously and continue to refuse our reasonable requests for further meaningful negotiations.

“The Government is burying its head in the sand as senior doctor vacancies worsen and we go on losing doctors to more attractive options outside the NHS or abroad.

“This appears to be part of a worrying pattern emerging of senior doctors being undervalued and ignored in Scotland, and not just when it comes to discussions on pay and working conditions.

“Plans for health board reform were recently announced without any consultation and they must not be bulldozed through without the voices of doctors and NHS staff being heard and taken into account.

“We will urge senior doctors to vote yes in this ballot to send a loud and clear message to the Scottish Government that we will not be ignored.”

Dr Bredski added:

“Just two years ago the Scottish Government promised to negotiate with us every year on pay.

“For the second year in a row, they have reneged on that commitment, imposed the pay award and refused to discuss how to tackle pay erosion, which is standing at 23% since 2008 for consultants after our pay failed to keep pace with inflation. We cannot stand by and let the Government brazenly break its promises to senior doctors and fail to even enter talks on improving pay or working conditions.

“Taking industrial action would be a last resort, but we are prepared to do so if it is the only action that will bring the Scottish Government back to the table.”  

Dr Sine Steele, chair of SSASC, said:

“SAS doctors, who are a crucial part of the senior doctor workforce, are also feeling undervalued and unheard.

“There is anger and dismay that working conditions are worse, many vacancies are unfilled, gaps in the workforce are growing and patient safety is suffering.

“NHS services in Scotland are under huge pressure, with growing waiting lists and the only way we can fix that is by making it an attractive place to work and recruiting and retaining the doctors we need.

“We want the Scottish Government to come to the table for discussions on how we can make that happen, including improving the work-life balance for senior doctors along with tackling pay erosion.” 

 

Notes to editors

As part of the pay agreement in 2024/25 with both Consultant and SAS doctors, the Scottish Government agreed to use future pay processes to “further discussion to establish a financially sustainable mechanism for Scottish Government to tackle pay erosion for Consultants/SAS doctors in Scotland”. The Government have failed to honour this commitment in each subsequent year.

BMA Scotland has secured agreement from the BMA’s UK Council to run two separate ballots for industrial action – one for Consultants and one for SAS doctors. The ballots will run over the same period. Both committees will consider the timing and nature of industrial action dependent on the ballot outcomes.

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.