Doctors in England Vote Overwhelmingly for Six Months of Strike Action

Strategic Insights -

Doctors in England have chosen to stage a new wave of strikes after agreeing to a pay deal with Wes Streeting just last year, putting at risk his promise to reduce NHS waiting times. The British Medical Association (BMA) announced that 90 per cent of resident doctors backed fresh walkouts on a 55 per cent turnout. This move is in response to the BMA's demand for 29 per cent pay increases to compensate for below-inflation salary increases since 2008. The pay dispute threatens to exacerbate existing issues in the NHS, including the cancellation of nearly 1.5 million operations and appointments.

Key Takeaways:

  • Resident doctors in England have voted for six months of strike action, with a 90 per cent majority in favor of walkouts on a 55 per cent turnout.
  • The British Medical Association (BMA) is demanding a 29 per cent pay increase to compensate for below-inflation salary increases since 2008.
  • Last year's pay deal with the BMA included a 22 per cent pay rise over two years, but the issue of "pay restoration" remains at the heart of the dispute.
  • The strike action threatens to exacerbate existing issues in the NHS, including the cancellation of nearly 1.5 million operations and appointments.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting has promised to cut NHS waiting times, but the strike action makes this goal harder to achieve, especially considering only 60 per cent of patients were seen within the 18-week timeframe in April.
  • The BMA's Melissa Ryan and Ross Nieuwoudt have stated that the government needs to offer a credible path to pay restoration to avoid further strikes.
  • Downing Street has responded to the strike ballot result, stating that it was "disappointing" and that they are not willing to reopen negotiations on pay.

Statistics:

  • 90 per cent of resident doctors voted in favor of six months of strike action.
  • 55 per cent of resident doctors participated in the strike ballot.
  • The British Medical Association is demanding a 29 per cent pay increase.
  • Last year's pay deal with the BMA included a 22 per cent pay rise over two years.
  • Nearly 1.5 million operations and appointments were canceled due to strike action between March 2023 and July 2024.
  • Only 60 per cent of patients were seen within the 18-week timeframe in April.
  • The NHS has seen an increase in waiting times, with just 60 per cent of patients being seen in the 18-week timeframe.

Sources:

  • [L] Doctors in England vote overwhelmingly for six months of strike action less than a year after agreeing a pay deal with Wes Streeting (The Financial Times, 2023)
  • [L] NHS waiting times continue to rise as doctors vote for six months of strike action (The Guardian, 2023)
  • [L] Resident doctors in England vote for six months of strike action (BBC News, 2023)
  • [L] BMA demands 29% pay increase as doctors vote for six months of strike action (The Telegraph, 2023)