Scots consultants ballot for weekends

Scottish consultants are set to be balloted on a new contract, which, unlike the rest of the UK, could see them agree to work on Saturday mornings.

The issue of the working week almost scuppered negotiations between the Scottish Executive Health Department and the British Medical Association.

BMA has said it will not recommend the contract to its members, but if the consultants agree to the deal, it could mean that trusts can schedule non-emergency work from 8am-8pm on weekdays and from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

This may lead to evening and weekend clinics and operating lists which could cut waiting lists and help NHS Scotland provide more patient choice. Consultants will not be able to refuse to work programmed activity during the working week. But they will be able to appeal if asked to work Saturdays, paid at a premium rate.

BMA Scottish consultants' committee chair Dr Peter Terry said the profession would have to decide on the proposals as a package. 'We still have concerns about the Saturday morning issue and we will not be advising acceptance.

But we can't advise rejection either because It is a considerably better package than the framework, which Scottish doctors voted for a few months ago.'

Intensive discussions to finish drawing up terms and conditions were being held this week, with a view to going to ballot next month.

Contract implementation has also moved forward in Northern Ireland, in the week that English consultants are due to meet to decide whether to ballot on introduction of their renegotiated contract. BMA's consultants' committee will today consider whether to move a national ballot in England early next month.

BMA Northern Ireland consultants' committee deputy chair Dr Stephen Vallely said 'preliminary talks' had begun with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and more informal talks are due to take place next month.

In Wales, the consultant contract is being piloted at two trusts - Bro Morgannwyg and North West Wales - and a ballot is expected to take place following evaluation of the pilots in October.