Doctors to refuse overtime in major dispute with hospital trust

Doctors at a major teaching trust are to refuse overtime and extra shifts from next week, HSJ has learned, amid escalating tensions with executives over a decision to stop paying premium rates for locum shifts.

Resident doctors and consultants will cease taking up overtime, extra sessions and waiting list work at University Hospitals Birmingham unless they are paid at rates agreed by the British Medical Association.

The BMA confirmed this morning that doctors were in official dispute from today, with the union officially recommending members not work outside their contracted hours for less than rates the BMA advises, laid out in local dispute cards.

Rinesh Parmar, BMA West Midlands regional consultants committee chair, said: “We have been successful in negotiating with other trusts to prevent them making unilateral changes to rates for extra-contractual work and it is disappointing that managers at UHB do not see fit to follow national guidance for the benefit of their patients and staff.

“Without offering appropriate rates for work, the trust runs the risk that doctors will simply not pick up these extra shifts. This will inevitably lead to burnt out doctors, understaffed wards and patients who will have to suffer with poor and delayed care.”

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Source: HSJ, 8 November 2024