Doctors' pension strike: tell us what you think

The action by the British Medical Association is in protest to to controversial changes to the NHS pension scheme.

As a result, many non-urgent appointments have been postponed and only urgent and emergency care is being given

GP surgeries will remain open and fully-staffed for urgent patients as this action affects only doctors.

BMA council chairman Hamish Meldrum said: “We are not expecting members of the public to support the action, but we hope they can understand why doctors have been driven to this point, for the first time in 40 years.

“Patient safety is our absolute priority. We have been clear throughout that any emergency care—or other care urgently needed by patients—will be provided.

“We are undertaking this action with extreme reluctance.”

GPs are protesting over proposals to change a pension scheme that was renegotiated just four years ago.

The plans would see a new career average pension scheme for all doctors, increases to contribution levels and an increase in the normal retirement age to 68.

Figures for the proportion of GP practices taking part in the action are still being estimated.

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