Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association

Every two years HCSA members elect members to the National Executive Committee, with representation based on districts. Currently there are 9 geographical constituencies, each with the right to elect a representative to the NEC. There is one reserved NEC seat each for Resident Doctor and SAS doctor grades. The president is directly elected, first as vice-president where they serve a one-year term prior to becoming president for a year. They continue to serve as an NEC member for a third year as past president.[https://hcsa.com/media/433969/HCSA-Rules-January-2025.pdf "HCSA rules"], HCSA, January 2025. Retrieved on March 24 2025.]

The Executive's current membership comprises:[http://www.hcsa.com/about/structure.aspx "Structure of the HCSA"], HCSA, June 2022. Retrieved on 7 June 2022.

• President Dr Naru Narayanan, FRCOG
• Vice-President Dr Claudia Paoloni, FRCA
• Resident Doctor NEC member Dr Matt Church
• London (West) and Central NEC member Dr Zahida Ahmad
• Midlands district NEC member Dr Karim Salem
• North Eastern district NEC member Dr Julie Walker
• North Western district NEC member Dr Ganesh Retnasingam
• Northern Ireland district NEC member Dr William Loan
• Scotland district NEC member Dr Susan Murray
• South Western and Southern district NEC member Mr George Tamvakopoulos

In addition, HCSA is represented at the TUC and within the NHS Staff Council by its general secretary:

• General Secretary Dr Paul Donaldson

On 28 July 2014 a consultative ballot of HCSA members was announced over the government's decision to ignore a Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) recommendation of a 1 per cent pay rise for all NHS staff.[http://www.hcsa.com/news-views/news/2014/07/hcsa-asks-members-for-their-view-on-pay.aspx "HCSA asks members for their views on pay in consultative ballot"], HCSA, 28 July 2014. Retrieved on 26 October 2015.

An extraordinary meeting of the HCSA executive met to consider the results of the ballot, which closed on 18 August 2014, after 80 per cent of those voting backed some form of industrial action.[http://www.hospitaldr.co.uk/blogs/our-news/hcsa-to-ballot-doctor-membership-over-industrial-action "HCSA to ballot doctor membership over industrial action"], Hospital Dr, 24 August 2014. Retrieved on 26 October 2015. The executive subsequently voted to hold a formal ballot on industrial action.

In the wake of the consultative ballot results HCSA President Professor John Schofield said: "Doctors have only very rarely indicated any willingness to undertake industrial action, and it demonstrates the strength of feeling within our profession. We will continue to listen to our members and represent their views to NHS Employers. I hope that we can encourage further dialogue between the government, employers and unions to avoid the possibility of action.”

HCSA members mounted industrial action in the form of "work to rule" alongside other health unions in October 2014.[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/13/nhs-strike-dispute-pay-walkout NHS strike: clinics close and operations cancelled in dispute over pay"], The Guardian, London 13 October 2014. Retrieved on October 26 2015.

On 16 July 2015 the DDRB published its recommendations following an independent review of the Consultants' Contract and the Doctors in Training Contract.[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contract-reform-for-consultants-and-doctors-and-dentists-in-training-supporting-healthcare-services-seven-days-a-week "Contract reform for consultants and doctors and dentists in training – supporting healthcare services seven days a week"], Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration, 16 July 2015. Retrieved on 26 October 2015.

In the wake of the report, on 30 July 2015, HCSA stated its position In Favour of A Safe Seven-Day Service, highlighting the need for the principles of safety, fairness and work-life balance to be maintained in any changes.[http://www.hcsa.com/news-views/news/2015/07/hcsa-launches-campaign-for-a-safe-seven-day-service.aspx "HCSA launches campaign for a safe seven-day service"], HCSA, 30 July 2015. Retrieved on October 26 2015.[http://www.hsj.co.uk/comment/doctors-really-do-want-seven-day-working/5090081.article#.Vi4ytWThBuU "Doctors really do want seven-day working"], Health Service Journal, 7 September 2015. Retrieved on 26 October 2015.

On 5 October 2015, then HCSA General Secretary Eddie Saville set out the association's position calling for A Fair Deal for Doctors In Training.[http://www.hcsa.com/news-views/news/2015/10/junior-doctors.aspx "HCSA calls for A Fair Deal for Doctors in Training"], HCSA, 5 October 2015. Retrieved on October 26 2015.

Explaining the HCSA position, he said: "As with our position on the consultant aspect of the DDRB proposals currently being pursued by the government and employers, this stance is guided by the principle that any successful outcome must balance safety, fairness and work-life balance. It must also meet the recruitment and retention test needed to ensure that the health service remains properly staffed. What's more any attempt to impose contractual changes on doctors in training is completely unacceptable, flying in the face of the basic tenets of trade unionism - that negotiation not imposition is the way to bring about a positive outcome that delivers for trainee doctors, patients and the health service as a whole."

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