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Consultant doctors in England have announced plans for a two-day strike next month, driven by ongoing disputes over pay and pension conditions. The industrial action is set to commence at 06:59 GMT on 25 November, during which consultants will limit their presence to providing emergency care only.
This strike follows a ballot conducted by the British Medical Association (BMA) earlier this year, where 76% of participating consultants voted in favor of industrial action; the voter turnout was slightly above 50%. The decision to strike comes after a month of negotiations with the government, which have so far failed to resolve the dispute.
Although consultants—the most senior medical professionals within the NHS—received a 3.5% pay raise earlier this year, the BMA maintains that their pay has effectively decreased by 25% over the last 17 years once inflation is accounted for. Co-chairs of the BMA’s consultants committee, Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, expressed frustration with the government’s approach, stating that despite their efforts to negotiate “in good faith,” ministers have repeatedly delayed meaningful progress. They added, “Unfortunately, that road has now run out, and we have been forced to announce strikes. Consultants take their responsibilities incredibly seriously, and striking does not come naturally, but we are hearing loud and clear from the profession that they have had enough.”
In terms of remuneration, basic pay for consultants begins at £113,500, with senior consultants earning up to £150,500. Additional payments can raise their average annual income to over £150,000. In response to the strike announcement, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper described the government’s engagement with the BMA as “constructive discussions” and expressed disappointment over the decision to strike. She criticized the planned industrial action as “irresponsible,” warning it will place additional strain on the already burdened health service
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