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Pension 'threat' to healthcare on Island

 

The British Medical Association has issued a stern warning to the Manx government over the impact changes to public sector pensions could have on health care in the Island.

The medical profession's union for senior medics says the proposals put the recruitment and retention of hospital doctors and general practitioners under serious threat. 

The association's delivered its verdict on a report by the Public Sector Pensions Joint Working Group, which says a raft of reforms is needed to ensure long-term funding of pensions.

A letter has been sent to the chief minister and all Tynwald members stating in detail the findings of the BMA, which represents the majority of medical professionals on the Island.

The body has sought professional advice itself from pension experts - its letter asks for clarification on a number of issues and comments on the report in general.

It questions how pension benefits can be retrospectively downgraded - something which it says is not allowed in the 2011 Public Pensions Act.

There is a suggestion the Isle of Man Government has gone back on a promise not to increase personal contributions until 2020 at the earliest.

The BMA states the proposals will almost certainly worsen cash-flow in the Manx economy rather than improve it.

And it claims they will have a serious impact on keeping and attracting consultants and GPs on and to the Isle of Man, with serious implications for the delivery of health care in the Island in the years ahead.

 

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