CONSULTANTS are “voting with their feet” by retiring early, moving abroad or reducing clinical sessions and this is adding to a growing waiting list, staff at UHD have said. 

This week, consultants at University Hospitals Dorset are staging a strike over what they say is a near 40 per cent pay decrease in real terms. 

In an open letter to the Health Secretary Steve Barclay, consultants hit out at the government’s six per cent pay rise it offered, noting “politicians have been awarded a cumulative pay rise over the same time period”. 

The open letter, signed by UHD’s consultants, said: “While none of us began a career in medicine for the financial rewards, we did believe that with many years of hard work, dedication and successful career progression, we could reach a position of value, respect and appropriate remuneration comparable to that of other professions such as barristers, solicitors and dentists. 

Bournemouth Echo: Poole HospitalPoole Hospital (Image: Daily Echo)

“We are working harder than ever in an under-resourced NHS, with huge gaps in most hospital departments across the UK, including here in Dorset.  

“It is because we care about local services and our NHS that we are now taking a stand; pay erosion results in staff shortages and the NHS cannot afford to lose its most senior experienced medical and surgical staff.” 

It added graduate medical students are loaded with “£50,000 to £90,000 of debt” with a starting salary of “a supermarket worker or coffee shop worker”. 

“After a minimum of fifteen years of training, the starting salary of a consultant is just over £42/hr for normal contracted hours.  

“From this wage we must then repay student debt, pay fees to the General Medical Council, purchase indemnity insurance and pay for our membership to essential professional groups.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Health Secretary Steve BarclayHealth Secretary Steve Barclay (Image: PA)

They added they hope patients will show understanding for their reason to strike, ending the letter with “We are here for you, your family and anyone else who needs us.  

“It is now time for you and the government to support us. We urge you to make a credible offer for talks so that the first NHS consultant strike in 50 years can be averted.” 

Mr Barclay said: “I am disappointed the BMA is going ahead with this week’s strike, given the average consultant’s NHS earnings are expected to increase to £134,000 a year. 

“My door is always open to discuss non-pay issues, but this pay award is final so I urge the BMA to end their strikes immediately.”