Doctors' 'strike' in Croydon: The facts
Doctors in Croydon are today beginning strike action in a UK-wide protest over pensions.
Last month British Medical Association (BMA) members voted in favour of industrial action, after the Government announced changes to their pensions.
Around 100,000 doctors nationally - members of the BMA - could in theory strike for 24 hours. It will be the first industrial action doctors have taken in almost 40 years.
Why are doctors so angry?
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Under proposed changes, doctors currently under the age of 50 would have to work to 68, and pay more for their pensions.
The Government is imposing a new deal that would see the best-paid doctors contributing 14.5% of their salary - up from 8.5%.
And in 2015 there will be a switch to a new career average revalued earnings (CARE) scheme for all doctors. For hospital doctors, this means the end of the final salary scheme, resulting in around a 30 per cent reduction in value on a like-for-like basis.
The BMA maintains the Government’s proposals are unfair and unnecessary, as in 2008 there was a major reform of the scheme which “government, employers and health unions agreed made the scheme sustainable for the future”.
On its website, the BMA states: “We have continued to raise major concerns that radical changes are not necessary, as the 2008 reforms are still valid, and that we have not been allowed to be part of meaningful negotiations to reach a fair settlement”.
What will happen today?
Doctors taking part will be in their surgeries and hospitals as normal, but they will only see patients with urgent medical problems. A&E and maternity units will be operating normally.
If you have an appointment scheduled for today and have not been notified of any change, you should attend.
The BMA insists: “Rest assured, doctors will be in their usual workplaces and patient safety will remain a priority”. If care cannot be postponed safely, it will not be postponed at all, it maintains.
Pulse, a magazine which provides GP news and jobs information, reported last week that hundreds of GP practices were notified that they could be hit with compensation claims from NHS managers if they are found to be in breach of contract.
It said that Primary Care Trust clusters in London wrote to all 1,331 practices in the capital saying: "The local NHS may decide to withhold certain payments due to a contract holder by way of compensation for any breach, should it occur. In addition, formal contract breach notices would be issued."
Support for industrial action nationally was said to be waning last night. According to a survey by the Daily Telegraph, two thirds of GP surgeries expected to have all their doctors working today, and would be open for business as usual. The vast majority of hospitals said few or no operations would be cancelled, the poll suggests.
What is the Government’s opinion?
The Government maintains that under proposed changes doctors will still get a good pension.
The Department of Health calculates that doctors will retire on a pension of £68,000 a year - twice the national average salary. It says the pension is fair.
Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday: "Even after these reforms, they will have the sort of pensions that many people working in private sector companies can only dream of.
"So I don't believe they should be on strike. I think reform is necessary because we are all living longer, and if we want to have an affordable pension system we need to make some changes."
Speaking at the NHS Confederation conference in Manchester, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "We cannot prioritise doctors over every other public sector worker when they have one of the most generous pension schemes in the country and will continue to do so.
"We all wish there was more money to go round but there isn't, everyone is having to tighten their belts.”
Yesterday the Health Secretary Andy Burnham called for last-minute negotiations between doctors and the Government, and urged doctors to "step back" from the action.
Comments
by CuppaTeaPlz
Friday, June 22 2012, 12:51PM
“Not taking sides on this subject. You have think of the hour's these Doctor's have to work as well, longer then the average. I think personally anyone working in the NHS system or private do not get what they rightfully deserve.”
by PeterNT
Friday, June 22 2012, 11:15AM
“RecFan that is true, all average figures of course, however the pension amount is not that alarming to me. What I find a travesty is that these pensions are funded heavily by the taxpayer. The doctors are striking over having to make higher contributions to their (generous) pension deals, yet this baffles me as it is they who will receive the money - why are they expecting others to pay it for them?!
Seems The3rd and I are singing from the same hymn sheet.”
by RecFan
Thursday, June 21 2012, 7:48PM
“If this is true "retire on a pension of £68,000 a year..." Doctors are just being greedy.”
by tbabygib
Thursday, June 21 2012, 6:13PM
“Going by the red arrows, there is support for this strike.
I'm neither here or there.
But, I do Know that my doctor gives splendid service and I'm happy with that.
There are so many strikes going on these days. It's like going back to the 70s,
But, I think anyone who is Lucky enough to have a paid job, Should be greatful.
After all there is more than a million unemployed.
Get your arrows ready and fire...Awaiting to greet them;)”
by The3rd
Thursday, June 21 2012, 5:15PM
“GPs earn over £100k a year. You tell me how it is fair that we (that's you and I) should fund their pension?
Long ago the public sector workers earned less than their private sector counterparts. Their final salary pensions were used to measure things up between the 2 sectors. However, public sector workers now earn the same level, if not more than those in the private sector AND have a pension paid for by the public.
It is a disgrace and should end now!”
by PeterNT
Thursday, June 21 2012, 4:32PM
“You want a pension you pay for it like the rest of us.
Public sector needs to take a long hard look at itself and what these people are expecting.
No wonder we still have a large budget defecit and not to mention a huge pile of debt.”