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Physicians

Doctors' Strike Action Faces Public Backlash as 48% Oppose Walkouts

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Resident doctors in England are demanding a 29 per cent pay uplift to end the ongoing cycle of strikes that have caused "so much harm to patients and the wider healthcare system." The British Medical Association, the union representing doctors, claims the current pay rise of 4 per cent, with an extra £750 for resident doctors, does not go far enough in restoring historical pay freezes. Despite the substantial increase, patients are now opposed to strike action, and a recent poll by YouGov found that 48 per cent of Britons are against resident doctors going on strike, while 39 per cent support them taking action.

Key Takeaways:

  • Resident doctors in England are demanding a 29 per cent pay uplift to end the ongoing cycle of strikes.
  • The British Medical Association claims the current pay rise of 4 per cent, with an extra £750 for resident doctors, does not go far enough in restoring historical pay freezes.
  • A recent poll by YouGov found that 48 per cent of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike, while 39 per cent support them taking action.
  • 11 times of industrial action since 2022 have led to almost 1.5 million appointments being cancelled or rescheduled.
  • Patients are now opposed to strike action, and a significant pay rise delivered over the past ten months has seen the public shift in opinion.
  • Resident doctor members of the BMA have seen their pay decline by 23 per cent in real terms since 2008, and the NHS does not have time to wait for pay restoration.
  • Doctors are unhappy not only about pay but also about the way they are treated by their employer, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitting the NHS treats doctors "like crap."
  • Water minister Emma Hardy urged junior doctors to vote against strike action and continue talking to the government.

Statistics:

  • 48 per cent of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike (YouGov poll).
  • 39 per cent of Britons support resident doctors taking strike action (YouGov poll).
  • 52 per cent of Britons supported junior doctors taking strike action last summer (YouGov poll).
  • 11 industrial actions since 2022 have led to almost 1.5 million appointments being cancelled or rescheduled.
  • 20-year increase in salary for NHS doctors compared to three years ago.
  • Real-term pay decline of 23 per cent since 2008 for resident doctors.
  • Independent pay review body recommended an above-inflation pay rise of 4 per cent.
  • 3.5 per cent inflation rate in April.
  • 2.6 per cent inflation rate in March.
  • 4,100 British adults participated in the YouGov poll.

Sources:

  • "Resident doctors are being balloted over the prospect of strike action" (PA).
  • "YouGov poll finds 48 per cent of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike" (YouGov).
  • "Health Secretary Wes Streeting admits NHS treats doctors 'like crap'" (The Times).
  • "Doctors call for pay to be restored to 2008 levels" (BMA).
  • "YouGov poll reveals 39 per cent of Britons support resident doctors taking strike action" (YouGov).

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