The resident doctors’ strike action threat has returned after a fresh ballot showed 90% support for walkouts. Despite recent pay increases, junior doctors say their salaries remain 20% below 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation. This marks the latest escalation in a bitter two-year dispute between medics and the government.
Nearly 48,000 British Medical Association (BMA) members participated in the vote, with a 55% turnout. The union now has a six-month mandate to call strikes until January 2026. However, no dates have been set yet, as leaders seek urgent talks with health officials.
Last year’s 22% pay rise and this year’s 5.4% increase still leave doctors financially worse off, argues the BMA. Co-chairs Dr. Ross Nieuwoudt and Dr. Melissa Ryan stated: “Our pay may have declined but our will to fight remains strong.” They emphasized strikes could be avoided with a “credible offer.”
The government insists negotiations are closed. A spokesperson noted resident doctors received “the highest public sector pay awards” recently, totaling 28.9% over three years. Downing Street highlighted that fewer than half of eligible doctors actually voted for strikes.
Previous resident doctors’ strike action caused massive delays, canceling over 1 million appointments since 2023. NHS Confederation CEO Matthew Taylor warned new walkouts would derail efforts to reduce record waiting lists. He also expressed concern about rising tensions among nurses and consultants, who may soon ballot for their own strikes.
Other medical staff, including consultants offered a 4% raise, could join protests. Nurses’ unions similarly rejected a 3.6% increase as “grotesque,” with voting underway.
With the BMA’s strike mandate secured, all eyes are on whether last-minute talks can prevent another healthcare crisis. As the resident doctors’ strike action deadline approaches, patients face renewed uncertainty and the NHS braces for possible turmoil.
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