NHS Pensions, BMA Launches Final Survey Of Its Members, UK

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 09 Jan 2012 - 9:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

About 130,000 BMA Doctors and medical students across the UK will be questioned regarding the government's final offer in negotiations on the future of the NHS pension scheme in a major survey that has been launched by the BMA (British Medical Association).

The BMA intends to learn whether the participants' views on the offer are acceptable or not. If they are not acceptable, they want to know what action the participants are prepared to take, which could potentially lead to a formal ballot on industrial action.



 Even though improvements have been negotiated on the original offer, all doctors still remain to be hard hit. The deductible amount for their pension will be increased from their pay this April, with further increases to follow in 2013 and 2014. For those at the beginning of their career this means they possibly pay more than £200,000 in additional lifetime contributions, whilst the normal pension age would increase, with many doctors having to work until the age of 68 years before they are able to receive a full pension. In addition, the current final salary scheme would be changed to a new career average scheme, which would leave the majority of doctors with worse overall benefits. 



 Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of Council at the BMA, declared:

"We want doctors and medical students to be fully aware of what's coming their way, and to have their say on what happens. Everyone will be affected, and it's up to the whole medical profession to influence what we do next. Either way, the implications are huge. We face either major, damaging changes to our pensions, or the first ballot of doctors on industrial action since the seventies.

The BMA, along with the other unions, has not accepted the offer. That, quite rightly, is for our members to help decide. Throughout intensive negotiations, we repeatedly pointed out that the NHS pension was radically overhauled only three years ago, and is actually delivering a positive cash flow to the Treasury."

In addition to the survey, the participants receive an extensive communications program to help understand the changes. Several road shows are also underway together with a range of resources, such as a video presentation and a set of FAQs on the offer. Everything will be available on the BMA website.

Written by Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

• Additional
• References
• Citations