BMA leaders have condemned the Government for showing ‘no flexibility' on the issue of doctors' pensions following a meeting with health secretary Andrew Lansley.
Last Wednesday health union leaders, including BMA chair and Yorkshire GP Dr Hamish Meldrum, met Mr Lansley and officials for talks on the issue, which if unresolved will lead to widespread strikes across the NHS on November 30.
Dr Meldrum said: ‘Along with the other health unions, we attended a meeting on the NHS pension scheme with the health secretary.'
'We made very clear doctors' strength of feeling against the various attacks on the NHS pension, and were disappointed that there currently seems to be little or no flexibility on the part of the Government.'
‘While we will want to continue to engage in dialogue, industrial action at a future date remains an option. We will be contacting BMA members shortly setting out what they can do to register their opposition to the threats to their pensions, and to show their support for colleagues on 30 November.'
Although the BMA Council decided not to ballot members for industrial action, a spokesman said that members would be invited to participate in various forms of protest to coincide with the strikes.
Click here to read our special report on planning your retirement.
