Scottish doctors are being asked to strike

NHS doctors in Scotland are being asked if they would be willing to go on strike over the Christmas and New Year period. They would be striking to defend pension changes. 

The pension reforms that have been planned would mean doctors would work longer and contributing up to 14.5% of their pay for their pension. 

The British Medical Association (BMA) said the government has failed to come up with an alternative to the changes being imposed in England and Wales. The BMA has been in talks with the Scottish government and is now balloting its members on the issue of pensions. 

The result could lead to strikes on December 12, January 8, and January 17, this does exclude emergency cover. Strike action that took place in June saw 60% of GP surgeries and 3,200 outpatients appointments in Scotland disrupted. 

The BMA has said that strike action would be a last resort. While the Scottish government says that it is negotiating in good faith, but as yet have been unable to come up with an alternative to the English proposals.  

(Image by DIAC Images, Flickr.)