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RCPCH responds to Academy pensions consultation

RCPCH participated in a consultation by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges about proposals to reform the NHS Pension Scheme.

You can read the .

Responding to the letter, Dr Camilla Kingdon, Vice President for Education and Professional Development at RCPCH, said:

We share our colleagues’ concern about the impact of the current taxation arrangements. We know some of our members are not taking on work because they’re worried about the prospect of significant tax bills. In our consultation with members, many senior paediatricians told us they’re reducing hours or taking early retirement. Others are leaving the pension scheme, so they can continue to provide care without facing a financial penalty. More generally, this is another blow to overall morale at a time when our members are working incredibly hard. 

Like the rest of the NHS, our speciality is facing rising demand and an escalating workforce crisis. We need to recruit an additional 850 consultant paediatricians just to meet standards on safe and effective delivery of care. Our members are already facing significant challenges with rota gaps and growing patient demand. The additional strain of worrying about big tax bills is unfair and unnecessary. We support the call by our colleagues to reform pension arrangements, so we can fully support doctors to deliver high quality patient care.