Doctor's Comments on Pensions

I've cut and pasted a couple of comments out of the pensions survey. I may add further over the next few days, they are of course anonymous:

1. The main issue for me is equality - if doctors' pensions are being changed in this way - the same should happen to all public sector pensions (including MPs and judges)

2. Doctors have always been treated very badly by successive Governments. Like many my age, as a junior doctor I worked a 1 in 3, frequently working a 100 hour plus week, only to receive 1/3 of the hourly rate for the majority of that time. Unlike politician we do not have access to public funds with which to buy (and previously maintain and furnish) lucrative second homes in the capital to supplement our pensions.

3. More stress should be put on how hard we work, how we are not over paid ( many of us have not reached the high salaries mentioned in the media for instance!) and that we have earned a right to be comfortable in our old age. I also think it is unsafe to have doctors who may not be able or have the interest anymore to have to work beyond the agreed 60 years. In psychiatry consultants used to be able to retire at 55 due to the stress of the job and the increased morbidity associated. When I retire at 68 ( if I live that long) it is unlikely I will get that many years out of it given my health etc. It all seems so unfair, yet everyone thinks we are all wealthy individuals when we are often the main bread winner just trying to bring up our families like everyone else in tough times.

4. An elderly doctor is more likely to make mistakes- go on sick leave etc which will be more detrimental to the system. Then there will be measures in the future reducing sick pay etc-

5. very unfair as done this exercise in the past.. stressful work with sacrificing of nights and weekends (oncall versus .MP/Judges/Teacher/Police) we are a soft target because we will not any patients be harmed..

6. I do not agree with any industrial action. Industrial action will receive very little support from the general public, who rightly or wrongly see the medical profession as well-paid, in secure employment and with comparatively robust pension arrangements. Without public support the Government will not come under any pressure to re-negotiate - as demonstrated by the response to the last day of action.

7. To make emergency only action bite hard it will be essential to string a number of days action together - why not a whole week. Trying to maintain public support is pointless so we should abandon all such attempts

8. There remains a significant fear amongst junior staff that any form of industrial action on their part will adversely effect their future careers as many consultants do not support any firm of strike. During the last day of action I and several of my colleagues were told by our consultants there would be serious consequences to our taking part. What can you do to reassure those of us in training?

Feel free to chime in below!