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The British Medical Association (BMA) has declared another series of strikes across England amid an ongoing dispute over pay. From 17 December, resident doctors—previously known as junior doctors—are set to embark on a five-day strike. This will mark the 14th time since March 2023 that the doctors’ union has taken industrial action, with wide-reaching disruptions anticipated, especially within hospital settings.
Resident doctors make up close to half of the medical workforce, encompassing individuals from recent graduates to those with nearly a decade of experience in the field. During the planned strike, both emergency and routine services will be affected, although senior doctors will be on hand to provide some level of coverage. Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospital interests, described the move as “an inflammatory act by the BMA,” emphasizing the importance of full staffing in the run-up to Christmas: “Everyone knows in the run-up to Christmas we need all hands on deck… It’s totally unfair to patients and to other staff working for the NHS.” He urged both parties to return to negotiations to resolve the impasse.
This upcoming strike follows a recent five-day walkout held last month after negotiations between the government and the BMA collapsed. The government had proposed a package that included creating additional training posts, enhancing working conditions, and assisting with expenses like exam fees. However, the BMA rejected the offer, insisting that any agreement must include a pay increase. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stood firm, refusing to enter talks around pay, highlighting that resident doctors have already received nearly 30% pay rises in the last three years.
Nevertheless, the union maintains that, when adjusted for inflation, pay for resident doctors remains about 20% lower than it was in 2008. Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, expressed that the lack of a credible government proposal left the union with little alternative but to strike, although he believes the strikes could be avoided. He stated: “These [strikes] do not need to go ahead. Gradually raising pay over a few years and some common-sense fixes to the job security of our doctors are well within the reach of this government.” While the current strike mandate lasts until early January, the BMA has confirmed plans to hold a further ballot among its members
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