Printed from: https://www.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/pressrelease/?id=14
Published: 31st October 2002
Dr Peter Saunders, General Secretary of CMF, which represents over 4,500 British doctors, said:
'Many people will find it hard to understand why doctors should reject a deal promising a 20% rise in starting salary to new consultants and pay rises of 9 to 24% across the board. But the reality is that most doctors do not go into medicine for the money. Whilst consultants are generally on good incomes, they earn considerably less than equivalently qualified professionals in the private sector. Most doctors are motivated far more by knowing that their patients are satisfied and that they are doing high quality work which is making a real difference in people's lives. The government seems not to understand this.
It is unfair and disingenuous of health ministers to imply that consultants have rejected the contract because they are uncommitted to bringing down waiting lists and want to earn more money doing private work. The vast majority of consultants already work more hours for the NHS than they are paid for because of their commitment to patient care and high clinical standards. But the new contract will disrupt team functioning and take more evening and weekend family time from those who already have considerable out of hours work commitments, without delivering better patient care.
The contract considers up to 10pm at night during the week and up to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays as normal working hours to be remunerated at normal rates of pay and many consultants are freshly concerned by a leaked NHS document to hospital managers urging them to push ahead with weekend and evening work and to only pay extra to the 'deserving few'. They fear that they will become the pawns of policies aimed more at fulfilling political targets than properly prioritised patient care.
The really urgent need is for more consultants; not forcing already overstretched senior staff to make 'bricks without straw'. The government is attempting to shift blame onto the medical profession when the reality is that the health service in this country remains amongst the most poorly resourced in Europe. This approach will only succeed in fuelling more resentment from doctors, many of whom feel, that government and health managers are out of touch with realities at the coalface.
Britain has one of best-trained and committed hospital consultant work forces in the world. It would be a great tragedy if a heavy-handed approach by government led to top consultants leaving the NHS. It will then be those least able to pay for good quality healthcare that will miss out. The government will make far more headway in negotiations if it seeks to listen to doctors and understand their concerns, rather than offering bribes of higher pay and making threats of more control.
We urge them to re-enter into negotiation with the BMA to devise a contract that is more family-friendly and conducive to good patient care.'
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
