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Physicians

Junior Doctors and Consultants Join Forces in Escalating NHS Row Over Pay

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Junior doctors and hospital consultants may soon find themselves on the picket lines together as the British Medical Association (BMA) prepares for an indicative ballot over the recent 4% pay offer. The union, which has been pushing for a more substantial increase to restore historical pay freezes, claims the offer is an "insult" to senior doctors. The BMA has written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling for a meeting to negotiate a better deal, but has not received a response. Resident doctors in England, also known as junior doctors, are already being balloted over the prospect of strike action, with senior doctors potentially joining them in the coming months.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BMA is conducting an indicative ballot among consultants and specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors in England to gauge their willingness to take part in industrial action over the 4% pay rise.
  • The union claims the pay offer is below April's RPI inflation and does not address the historical pay freezes that have occurred over the past 17 years.
  • Consultant committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta have accused the government of "undoung" progress made last year and threatening to drive experienced clinical leaders and academics away from the NHS.
  • SAS doctors are reportedly not working a quarter less than they were 16 years ago, yet their pay has decreased by almost a quarter in real terms.
  • The BMA is calling for a meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to negotiate a better deal for doctors and patients, but has not received a response.
  • The union is warning the government that it risks having several groups of doctors on picket lines together later this year.

Statistics:

  • 4% pay rise offered to consultants and SAS doctors in May
  • April's RPI inflation rate (not specified in this article)
  • 17 years of historical pay freezes
  • 250,000 reduction in waiting lists since the government took office
  • 25% decrease in SAS pay in real terms compared to 2008
  • Over £20,000 increase in starting salary for a consultant compared to 2023

Sources:

  • British Medical Association (BMA)
  • Department of Health and Social Care

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