Consultants in Scotland have moved a step closer to strike action while warning that the Scottish Government is relying on a ‘sticking-plaster’ approach to keeping NHS services safe.
The BMA Scottish consultants committee is preparing to ballot members on whether to walk out – if they vote in favour, it will be the first time Scottish doctors have gone on strike.
BMA Scottish consultants committee chair Joanna Bredski accused the Scottish Government of reneging on promises to negotiate on pay and other conditions to improve working lives for the second year in a row, and said senior doctors felt undervalued and taken for granted.
She said it was relying on consultants to work beyond their agreed roles and responsibilities to keep services afloat – at a time when major health service reorganisation is planned. She also said it was ‘incredibly frustrating’ that health secretary Angela Constance had refused to enter talks on how to improve working conditions.
‘We all care about our patients and the services we provide,’ Dr Bredski said. ‘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.’
BREDSKI: Patients deserve better
Dr Bredski said the Scottish Government had promised just two years ago to negotiate on pay but were now intent on breaking this promise. ‘No union can accept that if it is properly representing its members. We have seen our pay eroded by 23 per cent since 2008. This devaluing of our profession, while at the same time taking us all for granted, must end.’
She said consultants cared about patients and services and taking industrial action would be a last resort and called on the Scottish Government to be reasonable and enter constructive talks.
‘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.’
In line with BMA policy, SCC will ask permission from BMA UK council to go ahead with a ballot.
The BMA Scottish specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctor committee is already in formal dispute with the Scottish Government and will meet on 16 September to decide on moving to a ballot on industrial action.