Consultants' work to rule threat branded unprofessional

HOSPITAL consultants have been branded unprofessional for apparently threatening a "work to rule" if their bonuses are scrapped.

Lothians SNP MSP and former GP Ian McKee said he was appalled when he read the British Medical Association's response to an official consultation on the future of "distinction awards" and other cash bonuses for consultants.

The independent Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body is to report later this year on whether the bonus schemes - which can mean up to 76,000 a year for senior doctors on six-figure salaries - should be scrapped.

Arguing for the continuation of the bonuses, the BMA said feedback from members suggested lack of recognition of excellent work was likely to result in consultants concentrating "primarily and possibly solely" on what it described as their "core responsibilities".

Dr McKee said: "It's one thing to press for more pay - that's the normal exchange between any employee and employer, but to demand bonuses on top of that and to say you are going to work to rule, that's not professional."

A BMA Scotland spokeswoman denied consultants were threatening a work to rule.

She said: "The paragraph simply reports on feedback that the BMA has received from a number of consultants about their feelings on the recent cuts to the schemes."