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Doctors target non-urgent care in industrial action Doctors target non-urgent care in industrial action
(40 minutes later)
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC NewsBy Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News
Doctors will stop providing non-urgent care for a day next month in the first industrial action by the profession for nearly 40 years.Doctors will stop providing non-urgent care for a day next month in the first industrial action by the profession for nearly 40 years.
The move comes after a majority of doctors voted in favour of action in a British Medical Association ballot of 104,000 members over pension changes.The move comes after a majority of doctors voted in favour of action in a British Medical Association ballot of 104,000 members over pension changes.
The 24-hour day of action will take place on 21 June.The 24-hour day of action will take place on 21 June.
The union said emergency care would still take place as doctors did not want to put patients at risk. The union said emergency care would still take place, as doctors did not want to put patients at risk.
Of those balloted, half responded. Among the main groups of doctors the results were overwhelming.Of those balloted, half responded. Among the main groups of doctors the results were overwhelming.
Some 79% of GPs, 84% of hospital consultants and 92% of junior doctors voted in favour. Some 79% of GPs, 84% of hospital consultants and 92% of junior doctors who responded voted in favour.
Disruptive
By targeting non-urgent care, elective operations such as knee and hip replacements will be hit.By targeting non-urgent care, elective operations such as knee and hip replacements will be hit.
GP practices will remain open, but routine appointments will not take place, the BMA said.GP practices will remain open, but routine appointments will not take place, the BMA said.
But patients will still get tests for conditions such as cancer, while A&E units and maternity services will run as normal.But patients will still get tests for conditions such as cancer, while A&E units and maternity services will run as normal.
It will be the first time since 1975 that doctors have taken industrial action.It will be the first time since 1975 that doctors have taken industrial action.
Unions representing a host of health professionals, including paramedics, admin staff and porters, have already taken part in strikes over pension changes.Unions representing a host of health professionals, including paramedics, admin staff and porters, have already taken part in strikes over pension changes.
Patient safety 'safeguarded'
But the Royal College of Nursing, one of the most influential voices inside the NHS alongside the BMA, has yet to decide what it will do.But the Royal College of Nursing, one of the most influential voices inside the NHS alongside the BMA, has yet to decide what it will do.
It has held a ballot where the majority rejected the government's pension changes, but the turnout was low.It has held a ballot where the majority rejected the government's pension changes, but the turnout was low.
Under the plans, which apply to England and Wales but could be introduced elsewhere in the UK, the age at which doctors retire would rise from 65 to 68 by 2015.Under the plans, which apply to England and Wales but could be introduced elsewhere in the UK, the age at which doctors retire would rise from 65 to 68 by 2015.
The contributions doctors have to make are also due to rise.The contributions doctors have to make are also due to rise.
The union has also questioned government claims that the current scheme - which was only agreed as recently as 2008 - was unsustainable, pointing out it brings in a £2bn a year surplus. The union has also questioned government claims that the current scheme - which was only agreed in 2008 - was unsustainable, pointing out it brings in a £2bn-a-year surplus.
BMA leader Dr Hamish Meldrum said while the action would be disruptive, doctors would ensure that patient safety was not compromised.BMA leader Dr Hamish Meldrum said while the action would be disruptive, doctors would ensure that patient safety was not compromised.
He added: "We are taking this step very reluctantly, and would far prefer to negotiate for a fairer solution. He added: "We are taking this step very reluctantly and would far prefer to negotiate for a fairer solution.
"But this clear mandate for action - on a very high turnout - reflects just how let down doctors feel by the government's unwillingness to find a fairer approach to the latest pension changes.""But this clear mandate for action - on a very high turnout - reflects just how let down doctors feel by the government's unwillingness to find a fairer approach to the latest pension changes."
But the Department of Health has maintained the changes it was making were "proportionate and reasonable".But the Department of Health has maintained the changes it was making were "proportionate and reasonable".
It said a new doctor joining the new scheme could still expect a pension of more than £53,000 a year.It said a new doctor joining the new scheme could still expect a pension of more than £53,000 a year.
Dean Royles, director of NHS Employers, said: "We know that doctors are anxious about changes to their pensions. But no one wants to see patients dragged into the argument. Dean Royles, director of NHS Employers, said: "We know that doctors are anxious about changes to their pensions. But no-one wants to see patients dragged into the argument.
"Industrial action could potentially mean delays to treatment. It would be particularly distressing for patients and extremely worrying for staff who are dedicated to putting patients first." "Industrial action could potentially mean delays to treatment. It would be particularly distressing for patients and extremely worrying for staff, who are dedicated to putting patients first."
Are you a doctor? What is your reaction to the vote in favour of industrial action? What do you think about the planned changes to pensions? You can send us your comments using the form below.Are you a doctor? What is your reaction to the vote in favour of industrial action? What do you think about the planned changes to pensions? You can send us your comments using the form below.