HOSPITAL consultants could withdraw their goodwill if ministers fail to improve a “derisory” 1 per cent pay proposal, the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned.

The move on Thursday, from senior doctors who typically work up to 20 per cent more hours than contracted, often unpaid, would have a massive impact on waiting lists which are already at record levels due to the Covid pandemic.

The BMA has demanded a “sensible pay offer, of at least 5 per cent,” having seen the value of doctors’ take-home pay eroded by more than 28 per cent over 11 years.

Anger has been running high among health workers since the government made its 1 per cent recommendation, even as they risked their lives battling coronavirus.

The warning signal from consultants normally reluctant to take action will increase pressure on ministers to give ground.

BMA consultants’ committee deputy chairman Dr Vishal Sharma said: “The NHS has always relied on the goodwill of its staff, like consultants, to paper over the cracks in an underfunded NHS.

“Consultants are exhausted, suffering from high levels of burnout and are expected to deal with the longest waiting lists on record.

“It is therefore essential to maintain the goodwill of consultants so that they can help to clear the patient backlog, undertake additional waiting-list clinics and take on extra weekend work.

“It is within the gift of ministers to award NHS staff a fair pay award and to demonstrate that consultants are valued and avoid any potential disputes at a time when extra capacity in the NHS is crucial.”

A government spokesman said: “We recognise the recommendations from the pay review bodies are an incredibly important issue and we will carefully consider them before responding.”