Uncategorized ARM 2022 – Reflections from Scotland 4 Jul 2022 I should start this blog by saying that I wasn’t physically at the ARM. An on-call weekend and absent colleagues meant that I had to stay in Edinburgh, dipping in…
Uncategorized Ludicrously complex tax setup sees doctors “unjustly” Hit with massive tax bills 27 Jun 2022June 27, 2022 At the BMA's ARM Dr Alan Robertson - member of the BMA Pensions Committee and BMA Scotland's Consultant Committee spoke in favour of motion 16 - and for recycling of…
Consultants… Pensions, valuing staff and investing in our NHS – a farewell blog from the Chair of BMA Scotland’s consultant committee 18 May 2022 In my first message, as incoming chair of Scottish consultants committee, in the autumn of 2019, I quoted that famous phrase “winter is coming”. When I reflect back over what…
Uncategorized Morale is rock bottom: much, much more must be done to value doctors. 8 Apr 2022April 8, 2022 Welcome to April, the month when doctors should receive their annual pay uplift. Many of you will be saying “April? We never get it then.” And you are right, but…
Uncategorized Importance of valuing doctors emphasised by recent NHS Scotland developments 14 Mar 2022March 14, 2022 UKRAINE CONFLICT It is hard to focus on the needs of doctors and medical students in Scotland when such serious events are playing out in Ukraine, and those do put…
#ScotlandsDoctors… Scottish Conference 18 Feb 2022March 4, 2022 I'm really excited to announce that the upcoming BMA Scotland Conference will be in person this year in Edinburgh, which I will be co-chairing alongside Dr Stuart Blake. This year's…
Scottish Conference… Scottish conference: looking to the future… 14 Feb 2022February 14, 2022 We’ve all been through some terribly tough times over the last two years. As doctors, our profession has suffered. We have all had our own issues personally and endured huge…
Pensions… Pensions contribution consultation – make your voice heard before your take home pay is affected 10 Feb 2022February 10, 2022 When it comes to pensions consultations, the old ‘waiting for a bus’ analogy springs to mind – we’ve been waiting a long time and then two come along at once! …
Uncategorized Festive message from BMA Scotland Chair 29 Dec 2021December 29, 2021 Dear Colleague It’s a little while since I last updated you on what BMA Scotland has been doing on your behalf, in these continued difficult times for healthcare in Scotland.…
Uncategorized Contract negotiations “going well” – festive update for SAS Doctors in Scotland 23 Dec 2021February 8, 2022 I seem to remember I wrote a blog this time last year, with my head in my hands reflecting on what a crazy year it had been and how things…
Uncategorized NHS Scotland facing ‘exodus’ of consultants unless action taken 13 Nov 2021November 12, 2021 Late last month we had our first meeting of the BMA Scottish Consultant Committee and worryingly it came at a time that our NHS is in full blown crisis. It…
Uncategorized Pensions Update: No-one should be under any Illusion the issue is solved 24 Jun 2021June 24, 2021 It’s been many months since my last pensions update in 2020 – but I know it continues to be a major issue for doctors. I think it’s no exaggeration to…