The BMA has warned that the announcement of a pay freeze for armed forces GPs and consultants and a 1% pay rise for junior doctors, staff grades and associate specialists, would worsen recruitment and retention problems facing the Defence Medical Service.
Dr Brendan McKeating, chairman of the BMA’s Armed Forces Committee said: “Many armed forces doctors will be bitterly disappointed that, at a time of heightened operations, the Government has chosen to freeze pay. We understand the difficult economic climate but, earlier this year, other military personnel received a pay rise of 2%. It is unfair to single out armed forces doctors, who often serve on the frontline, for a pay freeze.” In a BMA survey of military doctors, one in three said they already had plans to leave the armed forces. Dr McKeating added: “Military doctors typically earn less than their NHS counterparts. The pay award has done nothing to address a disparity that makes it very difficult to recruit and retain doctors in the military. If the situation continues, the very high standards of care provided to those who risk their lives in military service could be compromised.”
