Doctors strike over pension changes

British Medical Association (BMA) staff — including doctors working in hospitals and general practice —  are on strike today, Thursday, protesting against planned changes to the NHS pension scheme.

An NHS Orkney spokesman said: “Doctors will be in their workplace as usual but those participating in the day of action will be providing only urgent and emergency duties.

“Management, staff-side colleagues and local BMA representatives are working closely to plan for the impact of the proposed day of action.”

A BMA spokesperson said: “In deciding on the form of action we will take, we have made patient safety an absolute priority which is why all emergency care, or other care that patients need will be provided by doctors who, on the day, will go to their usual places of work.

“However, they will only provide urgent and emergency care — anything that can safely be postponed will be postponed.  That means that some elective operating lists or outpatient clinics may be cancelled.”

He added: “Under the national joint principles agreed between the BMA and the NHS employers, it is the responsibility of the NHS to cancel any appointments and inform patients.

“The BMA has expressed concern that patients have not been given sufficient notice of any cancellations.

“The BMA has publicly provided information on the form of action that it intended to take since early May and we have given employers three weeks notice of the date of our action, when legally only seven days notice is required.”