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Doctors 'wrong to penalise patients over pensions' Disruption to patients 'more limited than feared'
(about 1 hour later)
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC NewsBy Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has condemned doctors for "penalising" patients in their pensions dispute. Patients have had appointments and surgery cancelled due to the doctors' industrial action but the total impact appears to be more limited than feared.
The first industrial action by doctors for nearly 40 years got under way at midnight with doctors across the UK boycotting non-urgent care. British Medical Association members across the UK are boycotting non-urgent care in a dispute over pensions.
Routine hospital appointments and non-emergency operations are being targeted while GPs are also taking part. The union estimates four out of five hospitals have been hit, while a third of GP practices are taking part.
Mr Lansley said doctors were wrong to hit patient care, although the extent of the disruption is not yet clear. But reports from individual areas suggest in most cases less than 10% of patients are being affected.
He said the British Medical Association - the doctors' trade union - had failed to recognise economic and political realities. In some ways, this was what the doctors had intended from their day of action - their first for nearly 40 years.
And he added: "I can't see why anybody thinks there is any benefit in penalising patients. It won't serve any purpose whatsoever." The BMA leadership was always clear that doctors would turn up for work and ensure emergency and urgent services would run.
Mixed picture This has meant that GP surgeries, A&E units and maternity departments were always going to remain open while tests for conditions such as cancer would still take place.
How much patients are affected, however, will depend on the number of doctors taking part and how rigorously they enforce the action. Warnings
The BMA estimates that four out of five hospitals have had to cancel care, while one in three GP practices are taking part. But href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18531285" >figures from those areas that have released information show that only a minority of non-urgent bookings have had to be rearranged.
But href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18531285" >early reports from individual areas suggest that the scale of the disruption in these places is being kept to a minimum.
  • Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has only cancelled three out of 100 non-emergency operations and 38 out of 2,000 routine appointments.
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  • In Northamptonshire eight out of 10 surgeries are expected to offer normal or near-normal services.
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  • One in 10 operations have been hit at the Norwich and Norfolk Hospital and 71 out of 1,400 routine appointments.
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  • Barnsley Hospital has cancelled eight operations and a quarter of outpatient appointments.
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  • Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has only cancelled 48 out of 650 non-emergency operations and 38 out of 2,000 routine appointments.
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  • In Northamptonshire eight out of 10 surgeries are expected to offer normal or near-normal services.
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  • No operations have been cancelled at Reading's Royal Berkshire Hospital.
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  • One in 10 operations have been hit at the Norwich and Norfolk Hospital and 71 out of 1,400 routine appointments.
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  • Barnsley Hospital has cancelled eight operations and a quarter of outpatient appointments.
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The emerging picture contrasts with warnings from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley in the lead-up to the action.
However, it is possible there will be more cancellations on the day as doctors do not have to tell their employers whether they are taking part. He said many of the 30,000 non-emergency operations, including knee and hip operations, 200,000 hospital appointments and 1.25m visits to GP surgeries in England could be hit.
Every day the NHS carries out about 36,000 non-emergency operations and 240,000 hospital appointments as well as seeing 1.5m people in GP surgeries. Nonetheless, he still criticised doctors for targeting patients.
'Distress' On Thursday, he said: "I can't see why anybody thinks there is any benefit in penalising patients. It won't serve any purpose whatsoever."
Argument
The BMA has more than 100,000 members - about two-thirds of the profession.The BMA has more than 100,000 members - about two-thirds of the profession.
Half responded to the ballot with eight in 10 voting in favour of taking action.Half responded to the ballot with eight in 10 voting in favour of taking action.
Both the government and BMA have been quick to stress that patients should still seek help if they need it.
A&E units and maternity departments remain open.
GP telephone lines are also being staffed and anyone needing an urgent appointment should get one.
However, NHS leaders have warned the disruption to patients could be worse than expected.
NHS Employers director Dean Royles said the industrial action could lead to surges in demand in places such as A&E units.
He added: "We are deeply concerned about the distress it will cause patients."
'Changes necessary'
BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said: "Our intention is not to have the maximum impact on the public.BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said: "Our intention is not to have the maximum impact on the public.
"Our argument's not with the public. It's with the government."Our argument's not with the public. It's with the government.
"Yes people will be inconvenienced but we want to get back to real discussions, sensible discussions about how we can move forward.""Yes people will be inconvenienced but we want to get back to real discussions, sensible discussions about how we can move forward."
The BMA has argued the government is wrong to try to change the current arrangements because a new deal was only agreed in 2008.The BMA has argued the government is wrong to try to change the current arrangements because a new deal was only agreed in 2008.
It has pointed out that the current scheme is bringing in a surplus of £2bn a year and under the new plans they are being asked to contribute much more than other high earners in the public sector.It has pointed out that the current scheme is bringing in a surplus of £2bn a year and under the new plans they are being asked to contribute much more than other high earners in the public sector.
Under the plans, doctors will be asked to work for longer - until 68 - and contribute more of their pay.Under the plans, doctors will be asked to work for longer - until 68 - and contribute more of their pay.
But ministers have insisted the changes, which apply to England and Wales but could be introduced elsewhere in the UK, are necessary.But ministers have insisted the changes, which apply to England and Wales but could be introduced elsewhere in the UK, are necessary.
Will you be affected by the industrial action? Will you be taking part? Send us your views using the form below.Will you be affected by the industrial action? Will you be taking part? Send us your views using the form below.