In a straw poll of 400 doctors attending a BMA pensions roadshow in London on Friday, an overwhelming majority said that they would be prepared to take industrial action such as providing an emergency-only service. However, the doctors did not support full strike action.

Deputy GPC chairman Dr Richard Vautrey said the GPC had been receiving updates from BMA pension roadshows across the country, and the London poll was typical of the responses at other events.

The roadshow took place ahead of a BMA Council meeting on Wednesday 18 January, where doctors' leaders will discuss the findings of a national poll to assess doctors' support for different forms of industrial action.

The BMA has surveyed all of its members to ask if they accept or reject the government's final offer for the NHS pension scheme. The survey also asks members what form of action they would be prepared to take if they reject the offer.

‘Doctors are extremely angry about what is going on and they want to be able to do something about it,’ Dr Vautrey said.

GPC and BMA Council member Dr Helena McKeown said BMA Council members had ‘stencilled in a date in our diaries in February’ in case further discussions are required following the Council’s decision.