Senior doctors in Scotland to be balloted for strike action
BMA Scotland said the SNP was taking consultants for granted
Senior doctors in Scotland are to be balloted for strike action after trade union leaders accused SNP ministers of taking consultants for granted.
BMA Scotland said the Scottish government was relying on a “sticking plaster” approach to keeping NHS services safe.
It said there had been an “incredibly frustrating” refusal by Health Secretary Angela Constance to enter talks to discuss how to improve working conditions.
Dr Joanna Bredski, chair of the BMA Scottish consultants committee, said: “We all care about our patients and the services we provide.
“Many of us find ourselves working way beyond our agreed roles and responsibilities to keep the services we work in safe and keep services afloat.
“The Scottish government is banking on us to continue doing this – but this is in no way a solution and it cannot rely forever on this sticking plaster approach.
“Patients deserve far better than exhausted and burnt-out doctors working far beyond what is expected, in services riddled with vacancies which are reliant on the goodwill of senior doctors to keep running safely.
“It begs the obvious question: how can the Scottish government not understand how essential senior doctors are in maintaining the NHS and creating services fit for the future?”
Dr Bredski said the Scottish government had reneged on a promise to tackle pay erosion for the second year in a row.
Ministers announced in August that a host of medics, including senior doctors, would receive an above-inflation pay rise after it agreed to implement the recommendations of an independent pay review board.
Consultants, GPs, specialty, specialist and associate specialist (SAS) doctors and dentists will receive a 3.5 per cent increase for 2026-27, while salaried community and public dental workers will have a 3.75 per cent pay uplift.
However, the BMA warned at the time that the offer was not enough and said it would speak to its members to consider its “next steps”.
On Wednesday, it confirmed consultants would be balloted for strike action once it received permission from the BMA’s UK council.
Dr Bredski said: “The Scottish government made a promise just two years ago to negotiate on pay – yet now they are intent on breaking this promise for the second year in a row. No union can accept that if it is properly representing its members.
“We have seen our pay eroded by 23 per cent since 2008. This devaluing of our profession, while at the same time taking us all for granted, must end.
“It is not unreasonable to expect to have a safe and sustainable working patterns that don’t fuel more and more burnout among senior doctors.
“It is not unreasonable to expect the Scottish Government to work with us to tackle pay erosion, as they promised to do in our 2024 pay negotiations.
“We all care about our patients and the services we provide and taking any industrial action would be a last resort.
“We need the Scottish Government to be reasonable and come back to the table and talk to us constructively.
“Let’s be clear – we are prepared to stand up for senior doctors and ensure they are properly valued.
“It is the only way to ensure that patient safety and high-quality services are prioritised and sustainably achieved in the long-term.”
Ms Constance said: “Whilst I respect the rights of the workforce to pursue action, it is disappointing that the BMA Scotland consultant committee has moved to ballot.
“Consultants and specialists are set to receive an above-inflation 3.5 per cent pay uplift for 2026/27 that goes beyond public sector policy.
“This was based on the independent recommendation from the review body on doctors’ and dentists’ remuneration (DDRB). I believe it is both fair and equitable and means that a consultant on the top of the scale now earns £153,247.”
She added: “Strike action is in no-ones interest and will only lead to longer waiting times for our patients.”
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