Controversial reforms to GPs' pensions and the wider NHS are turning some Tory medics against the Government, the chair of the Conservative Health Society has admitted.
Dr Paul Charlson, a GP in Cumbria, said there was ‘resentment' among active Conservative supporters about the pensions reforms.
‘There's a realisation that we are going to get changes to our pensions and the country needs to realign what we can and can't afford,' he said.
‘But there is a general feeling that this was all sorted not so long ago and that the current pension is fair compared with other civil servants. So there is a bit of resentment there.'
Dr Charlson added that support for the Government was dwindling.
‘There are people who don't agree with the NHS reforms in Conservative Health. I think they are a good idea personally. There's less support for the government since the reforms and the pensions issue, but you'd expect that really,' he said.
Dr Charlson said that there was a need for the profession to remain united.
‘This is a bit of a showdown really. Which is I guess why we have to show solidarity as a profession and do what we have to do. But I don't agree with striking.'