Doctors refuse to rule out strikes over NHS pensions

Doctors have refused to rule out industrial action over a proposed shake-up of NHS pensions.

The British Medical Association (BMA) voiced its unhappiness about changes to the health service’s retirement scheme – on the day hundreds of thousands of other public sector workers went on strike over planned reforms by the Government.

BMA members voted in favour of “considering” industrial action, with officials saying the revised NHS pension scheme would see staff paying more and working longer but receiving less.

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The Department of Health insisted it would set out changes that were affordable, as well as fair to NHS staff and the taxpayer.

But Andrew Dearden, chairman of the BMA’s pensions committee, said many were concerned because the Government had refused to enter into talks.

He insisted that 10 years longer life does not mean 10 years longer of a working life.

He said: “The Government has made the assumption because we live 10 years longer, we can work 10 years longer. Would you be happy for a 68-year-old neurosurgeon to be digging around inside your head?”