In the time since we balloted our consultant members in England for industrial action — 76 per cent of those who voted said YES — the Government has cycled through three health secretaries.
In politics, change can happen overnight, as we have seen, and it is only right that each new minister has a chance to get their feet under the table. However, our patience can only last so long.
The Government is well aware of our issues and the broader challenges the NHS faces. The latest health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has inherited a system that her boss, Andy Burnham, has rightly diagnosed as being on the brink of collapse. As they scramble around for a solution, they ignore the views and feelings of the tens of thousands of doctors keeping the system running at their peril.
If the Government wants to bring down waiting lists and improve patient care, it needs consultants. We’re the most senior and expert doctors working in hospitals. Without us the system won’t work, and yet the Government risks leaving us out in the cold.
HENLEY: Consultants are not willing to tolerate inaction
The public recognise this risk. Almost 90 per cent believe that offering consultants competitive rates of pay are crucial to retaining them in the NHS. The Government's failure to support our clinical leaders and to recognise the tireless dedication consultants bring to improving care is what puts the prime minister's plans in jeopardy.
When the results of our ballot were known, the BMA consultants committee gave the Department of Health and Social Care until the end of July to agree to meaningful talks to stave off the need for industrial action. That deadline has passed with no meetings scheduled or substantive response received.
This is unacceptable and we have now written to Yvette Cooper to make this clear. By voting for industrial action, consultants in England made it abundantly plain they are not willing to tolerate inaction on behalf of ministers. We have faced continued attacks on our pay and our professional value. Rebuilding the relationship and trust with the profession should be high on the secretary of state’s to-do list.
If it isn't, then we must steel ourselves for action. It is not the course we want to take but we must be prepared to stand up and demand our value be recognised. As we continue to try and talk to ministers, we will be making the necessary preparations. You will hear more about this in due course. In the meantime, I hope the Government begins to hear what we have to say.
Mike Henley is deputy chair of the BMA consultants committee