Surgeons slash hours over pension ‘tax trap’

Patients face longer wait for vital treatment

TWO-Thirds of surgeons have slashed their Nhs hours as a result of hefty bills on their pensions, a poll shows today.

doctors’ leaders are worried about the ‘devastating’ impact on waiting times, particularly when hospitals become busier over winter.

The survey by the royal College of surgeons found that 68 per cent of their members were considering early retirement due to the pensions taxes. A further 69 per cent had reduced their Nhs working hours.

One trauma and orthopaedic surgeon admitted his waiting list had gone from five months to nine months ‘overnight’ after he cut back on his hours.

Ministers promised to reform the flawed pensions scheme in August and a three-month consultation on more flexible rules will finish next month.

Under the existing system – introduced by former Chancellor George Osborne – anyone on more than £110,000 a year faces being hit by punitive tax bills. GPs and surgeons earning six-figure salaries are among the hardest hit and many have cut down on their hours to reduce the payments.

Many surgeons have stopped working overtime to clear waiting lists, which piles pressure onto a system that is already failing to meet targets.

All patients in scotland needing surgery should be treated within 12 weeks, but only 72.5 per cent of that target was met in the three months to June.

Professor derek Alderson, president of the royal College of surgeons, said: ‘The impact of pension tax rule changes on waiting times are devastating. Patients already face long waits for operations. Persisting with a tax system that punishes clinicians for taking on extra work will lead to a further deterioration in waiting times.’

The royal College of surgeons surveyed 1,890 of its members. One 42-year old trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, who performs procedures such as hip and knee replacements, said: ‘This is not a story about pensions, it is a story about how long patients will have to wait for surgery.

‘it is the biggest threat to the Nhs at present.’

Another respondent said: ‘Unfortunately, those who will suffer are the patients who rely on the Nhs for their treatment.’

The UK-wide rules were imposed in April 2016. Anyone earning more than £110,000 a year will be hit by a tax charge if they put more than £ 10,000 i nto their pension pot annually.

Previously, they could pay up to £40,000 into their pension pot a year tax-free. Miss stella Vig, a council member of the royal College of surgeons, said: ‘The Nhs pensions scheme has created a “tax trap” where accepting an extra shift can lead to a large and entirely unpredictable tax bill.’

Last month, the British Medical Association i n scotland also raised the issue.

in his first speech as chairman of the BMA’s scottish Consultants Committee, dr Graeme Eunson said: ‘ More and more hardworking doctors are forced to reduce the number of hours they work – or retire completely – in the wake of high pension tax bills.’

‘Biggest threat to the NHS’