Armed Forces seriously short of doctors, says BMA
Press release 11 May 2004
Shortages of armed forces doctors threaten the viability of military operations and have not been fully addressed by the latest pay rise for defence medical staff, the BMA says today.
Responding to the announcement that the government has accepted a 3.225% pay rise for Defence Medical Service staff, recommended by the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body, Dr John Ferguson, chairman of the BMA’s Armed Forces Committee, said:
“Recruitment and retention problems in the defence medical services continue to threaten the viability of military operations, so it is important that pay levels between NHS and armed forces doctors are comparable.
The BMA is disappointed that the Review Body has been unable to address fully the pay differences that exist. There is currently insufficient information about the effects of the new NHS GP and consultant contracts on this disparity.
However, we welcome the fact that the award is in line with the inflationary increase given to NHS consultants who have signed up to the new contract.”
Notes to editors
The medical defence forces are seriously below strenth, with less than half the number of trained doctors it needs. Shortages of accident and emergency surgeons, anaesthetists and burns specialists are particularly severe.