The British Medical Association has upped the stakes in its campaign of opposition to suggested changes to public sector pensions, including those of doctors, in the Isle of Man.

The head of the BMA's pensions department claims advice given by the chief minister - in relation to a health service employee considering moving from the Island to the United Kingdom - was entirely incorrect.

Andy Blake has written to all the members of Tynwald, explaining that it would be possible for a pension to be transferred to the pre-April, 2008 UK scheme, contradicting what Tony Brown is quoted as saying.

The BMA fears its members could be severely disadvantaged by the proposed scheme and, in the latest issue of its monthly newsletter, claims doctors would leave the Island "in droves" if the plans were implemented.

It says the unified scheme would force people to work until they were 65, remove the lump sum doctors have received on retiremen,t and sever the link between the Isle of Man and UK pension schemes, which have enabled staff to move easily between the two until now.

The point being made by Mr Blake in relation to the chief minister's alleged advice is that if Isle of Man health service employees viewed any changes as detrimental to them they could simply leave the Island and take up an NHS post in the UK.

They could do so, says Mr Blake, with full continuity and protection of pension, including the retention of a normal pensions age of 60.