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Medical professionals are considering deserting the Isle of Man’s health service in droves in a row over pensions, the BMA has warned.
The Manx government is currently considering a recommendation from an external review of public service pensions to sever the link with the UK NHS pensions scheme, according to the BMA.
NHS staff – who can currently move freely between posts in the UK and the Isle of Man – fear the changes could cost them thousands of pounds while raising their retirement age by five years
The BMA is aware that some doctors are already considering leaving posts on the Isle of Man, which could have serious staffing implications for its health service. Nine in ten consultants working in the Isle of Man Health Service are recruited from the UK.
Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of Council at the BMA, said: “Breaking the link between the Isle of Man’s pension scheme and that of the UK NHS would not just be an unacceptable retrospective change, it would be an absolute disaster for health services on the island.
“The majority of doctors working on the island are not Manx. Attracting suitably qualified clinicians to work in the Manx Health Service if an inferior pension scheme is on offer would become very difficult indeed. The Manx public deserve better.”
Copyright PA Business 2008
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“This is not a remote or rural issue but one of a devolved government trying (it seems unwisely) to unilaterally change NHS staff pay and conditions” – Vince Summers, Scotland
