GPs vote against strike over pay

Family doctors had complained about changes to their contracts

GPs have voted overwhelmingly against taking strike action over pay and conditions amid fears it would jeopardise patient safety.

The doctors were responding to a motion raised at a British Medical Association (BMA) conference in Clydebank.

Delegates had complained of the "continuous erosion" of their contract, most recently over government proposals to increase practice hours.

The call for industrial action was defeated by a show of hands.

Delegates at the BMA conference of Scottish local medical committees attacked both the UK and Scottish governments for their treatment of GPs.

Westminster was accused of pursuing a policy aimed at appealing only to voters in the south of England.

Scottish ministers were attacked for failing to come up with an independent policy for GPs north of the border.

There is no way I am going to make one of my patients suffer because I am having an argument with the government. Dr Dean Marshall

Dr John Rankin, from the Forth Valley committee, told GPs: "Year on year, the government has systematically dismantled the contract and accused GPs of being greedy, lazy and not worth the money.

"This is insulting, demeaning, and it shows a lack of respect."

Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of the Scottish General Practitioners Committee (SGPC), urged delegates to vote against strike action.

He said: "There is no way I am going to make one of my patients suffer because I am having an argument with the government."

'Staffing crisis'

A report published by the BMA ahead of the conference found half of GPs had reported low morale. It blamed a sharp increase in workload and staff shortages.

It also warned of a staffing crisis in local practice, predicting too few doctors would be trained to replace the 21% of GPs who plan to retire within the next five years.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said GPs were being offered a very attractive working package.

She said: "We have robust GP workforce plans in place to retain and recruit doctors, so that we have enough to meet the demands of the NHS.

"Trainee numbers are reviewed every year and take into account a range of issues, including retirement, that affect GP numbers. Last year, the number of trainee GPs increased by 50 to 887 and we will train the same number this year.

"This figure, and the total number of GPs, is very healthy and we are confident we will be able to fill future vacancies."