Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a doctors strike deadline to resident NHS doctors across the UK. The government gave the British Medical Association 48 hours to call off planned strikes or risk losing a historic deal.
The BMA planned a six-day strike after Easter following the union’s rejection of a pay offer. Starmer criticized the BMA’s refusal, calling it reckless and warning it benefits no one.
The prime minister urged the union to allow members to vote on the deal before taking further action. He said the deal would provide above-inflation pay rises, reimbursement for Royal College exams, and reforms to pay progression.
Additionally, the plan included 4,500 new specialty training posts over three years, with one thousand available this month. Starmer warned, “These posts will be gone if the deal isn’t put to a vote by Thursday.”
He emphasized that the agreement resulted from months of collaboration with the BMA and constructive engagement. Starmer said walking away without a vote undermines doctors’ interests, patient care, and NHS stability.
He added, “No one benefits from rejecting this deal. It improves pay, progression, and career prospects.” Meanwhile, the BMA seeks a full pay restoration to 2008 levels, equating to a 26% increase. Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors committee, criticized last-minute government changes to the pay offer.
He said ministers effectively moved the goalposts, reducing investment and stretching the plan over a longer period. Fletcher insisted that creating posts and improving patient care should not depend on canceling the strike. He stressed that negotiations focus on achieving a good deal for doctors and patients alike.
Fletcher confirmed talks with the government would continue on Tuesday to reach a sustainable outcome. The BMA remains open to discussions that could call off the strike while maintaining fair pay and career opportunities. Starmer concluded that failing to vote on the offer would weaken the NHS and leave patients to bear the consequences.
The doctors strike deadline underscores the tension between government officials and medical staff amid ongoing NHS pressures. The prime minister urged both sides to prioritize patient care while resolving pay and training concerns swiftly.
For more updates on this news, follow London Pulse News.
