The chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has said that Scottish medics “stand in solidarity” with junior doctors over the ongoing pay dispute.
On Tuesday negotiations resumed between the BMA and the Scottish government after Scotland;s First Minister Humza Yousaf promised “the biggest ever pay uplift” to stop the 12 July strike.
In a speech to BMA Scotland’s annual representative meeting (ARM), chair Dr Iain Kenned said that Scottish medics feel deep unhappiness, anger and disillusionment.”
He told delegates: “The whole of the medical profession in Scotland stands in solidarity with our junior doctors and their fight to win fair pay.
“Secondly, and equally, as Dr (Chris) Smith said himself – I do hope that today the Scottish Government agrees to pay junior doctors fairly, so that the need to strike can be averted.
“Fixing the retention of doctors must be the priority. Recruitment alone is futile. Which is why we were so disappointed with the below inflation pay award announced by the Scottish Government.
“It just won’t be enough to even begin to reverse pay erosion or address the workforce crisis we face.”
Members of the BMA are to now be consulted over the next steps in achieving a better pay award.
Dr Kenned urged medics to continue to speak up “without fear of being labelled a troublemaker.”
He added, “It’s shameful that we work in an NHS where some doctors feel they can’t speak up on behalf of patients without repercussions for themselves or their careers.
“It’s simply not good enough. Our patients are our number one priority and all of Scotland’s doctors should feel free to speak up without fear or favour.”
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