So industrial action by doctors has taken place on the 21st June, for the first time in 40 years over the proposed pension changes. The BMA has gained a mandate from its members by ballot that they support action over the additional contributions and the increased working age. Interestingly, there appears to have been wavering support for the action in many practices, with a few in one out of four taking action.
So, will the industrial action actually result in anything more than a statement of dissatisfaction by doctors? The Government has not come back to the table with the BMA to negotiate further on the pension deal as a result of this strike. Should we now just put this to bed, accept the new deal and get back to the day job or could this just be the start?
The Government has not come back to the table with the BMA to negotiate further on the pension deal as a result of this strike. Should we now just put this to bed, accept the new deal and get back to the day job or could this just be the start?
There were many clinicians in the lead up to the action who felt the profession should have gone much further. Full strike action with complete withdrawal of labour similar to other sectors, such as the metro drivers in the Northeast, who have downed tools on the two days of concerts in the Stadium of Light. Action of this kind that causes significant disruption would surely start to provoke a response and may get the Government back to the negotiating table. The threat of affecting patients may be enough to evoke a response.
Or, as some say, should the primary care profession start to disengage from initiatives such as commissioning or the Care Quality Commission registration? Would a slow drip, drip, drip of work-to-rule actions get a response from a Government set on a resolute course?
The BMA needs a clear strategy going forward from the end of industrial action day. They need to maintain the confidence of the profession and not merely stop at this token demonstration of anger. Whether affected or not by the pension changes, we have a duty to support younger colleagues.
The process of splitting the profession, between those who are affected by changes and those who are not was a clever strategy. There are many doctors, unaffected by changes to retirement age and only have to stomach increased contributions for a few more years, who may have little appetite for any more action. Maybe this day of action has further reduced the numbers in this group who were willing to take a stand for junior doctors.
I think that the BMA needs a clear strategy going forward from the end of industrial action day. They need to maintain the confidence of the profession and not merely stop at this token demonstration of anger. Whether affected or not by the pension changes, we have a duty to support younger colleagues. Being treated unfairly when compared to other civil servants is not acceptable, let alone the dangers of patients being treated by overworked, aging doctors past their prime.
If we let this one go then surely the Government will be back to raid the doctor pension piggy bank at will in the future?