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CCSC and JDC survey of specialist registrar opinion

January 2003

Letter to SpRs, England

Dear Colleague

As you will know, the proposed new contract framework was rejected by the majority of consultants and specialist registrars in a referendum held at the end of last year. The Central Consultants and Specialists Committee and the Junior Doctors Committee are now seeking to move forward reflecting the views and aspirations of the profession and has therefore conducted a survey of consultants in England. We now wish to do the same for specialist registrars. The intention is to establish views on which particular aspects of the framework were acceptable and which caused most dissatisfaction. We are also interested in finding out information on your current working arrangements.

In order to answer the questions relating to the framework agreement, you may want to refer back to the original document. You can find the framework and other relevant information on the BMA website. We hope that you will be able to find the time to complete the questionnaire, as it is vital that we are well informed about your views. Please return the survey by 28 February 2002.

There have been further recent developments in this area as the Secretary of State has now written to all consultants and specialist registrars in England outlining new proposals for rewarding consultants. We also need to know your views these new plans.

His proposal for piecemeal local implementation of the rejected framework is disappointing, given the 2 to 1 vote against it. We continue to advise consultants, SpRs and local negotiating committees against pursuing local implementation. Despite the hope of short term gains for some through local deals, the best contract for the profession as a whole will only be achieved if we stand together for a new national contract and decline the option of multiple local contracts.

Mr Milburn’s proposed annual incentive scheme has some attractions but causes much concern. Most doctors will not trust payments linked so clearly to the delivery of political targets. Indeed, some of the targets suggested are not readily influenced by the actions of consultants. We will need much work on the details before this proposal could be made workable and reasonable.

The clinical excellence scheme proposal could be made appealing to consultants, many of whom believe that the distinction award scheme needs reform. Again, much discussion of detail will be needed.

However, we can welcome Mr Milburn’s acknowledgement that consultants work hard for the NHS and deserve better rewards. There is a significant amount of money earmarked for consultant pay. Furthermore, the proposed sabbatical scheme will be welcomed by many, although it too needs much work on the details to make it a truly valuable option. Nevertheless, all doctors deserve to have their NHS workload recognised and rewarded appropriately. The CCSC shall therefore be providing guidance in the very near future on using the job planning process and maximising the benefits of the current consultant contract.

But more important than the above brief thoughts is for you to let us know what you think. Please contact us directly, by writing to us at BMA House or by e-mail to info.jdc@bma.org.uk. Please head your correspondence “Proposal consultation” and we will ensure that each and every contribution is personally read by a JDC member, who will feed these views into the committee’s ongoing work and discussions with the CCSC. Further, please contribute to the new discussion site on the BMA website.

In conclusion, we are determined to represent the views of the profession. This requires that we listen and that you let us know what you think. We ask for your support and input in the coming months.

Yours faithfully

Paul Thorpe
Chairman
Junior Doctors Committee

Paul Miller
Chairman
Central Consultants and Specialists Committee