Consultation on NHS Pension Scheme Review opens in Scotland

Consultation on the NHS Pension Scheme Review for Scotland starts today (24 January 2005) with the publication of the long awaited consultation document. The BMA will be collecting the views of doctors in Scotland to feed into its formal response.

A parallel consultation on the planned changes is already underway in England and Wales. Historically, the NHS Pension Scheme has mirrored that of England and Wales to reflect the wider UK Government pensions policy. Any distinctive Scottish issues will, however, be considered in the review.

Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:

"This is a fundamental change to doctors' terms and conditions of employment. We want to hear the views from all doctors, but particularly from those under the age of 50 who will be most affected by these proposals.

"Although the consultation document is well written and easy to read there are many factors that are still unknown to allow individuals to make a sensible decision about how the proposed changes might affect them. Until we have a better knowledge of these factors I think it is very difficult to give an unconditional response."

The Government proposes to increase from 60 years to 65 years, the age at which a pension can be taken without being reduced. The BMA has opposed this notion since it was first announced in 2003.

Doctors will be able to email their comments on the pension review proposals to the BMA at [email protected].

Dr Andrew Dearden, chairman of the BMA Pensions Committee, said:

"The consultation period will be for three months until 25 April. However, doctors should send their comments to the BMA by mid March so that they can be considered and help inform the response of the Association. The BMA Pensions Committee has convened a special meeting to consider the views of members and finalise the BMA's response of the Review."