A wave of senior medical professionals have opted to retire early rather than carry on working due to punitive pension taxes.

Once NHS pensions are fully funded additional tax rates kick in, a factor which is spurring many better paid NHS professionals to retire early or cut back on workloads.

According to reports in several newspapers, including the Telegraph and Independent, government officials are considering changes to the pension system for highly paid medical professionals.

Government officials are said to have launched an eight week consultation on the NHS pensions rules to encourage more clinicians to continue to work.

According to the Independent, the proposed changes could remove obstacles to retired clinicians going back to their jobs.

Measures could also include more flexible arrangements to allow retired and partially retired staff to return to the workplace or increase their working hours without seeing contributions to their pension reduced or suspended.

A new system could mean medical staff claiming a portion or all of their pension benefits but continuing to work and contributing to their pension to build up further benefits without being penalised.

The aim of any shake-up would be to encourage more clinicians to help the NHS, particularly during the critical winter months.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay is reported in the Independent as saying: “We need a system where our most experienced clinicians don’t feel they have to reduce their workload or take early retirement because of financial worries.

“I also want to make it easier for staff that want to return to work to support the NHS to be able to do so without penalties. These proposed changes will help open up extra appointments so patients can see their GP and consultants more quickly.”

• This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.