Senior doctors in England back strike action amid NHS pay row
The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed that senior doctors in England overwhelmingly support strike action.
A poll by the union found 76 percent of consultants were ready to leave.
The outcome gives senior medics the power to take industrial action next year.
Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA consultants committee, said: “This is a clear message that consultants in the UK are not willing to tolerate the ongoing attack on their pay and professional value and are prepared to take action if necessary.
“Consultants are the most senior and specialist doctors working in hospitals, but by not recognizing and supporting them to be the best clinical leaders we risk losing them as they work tirelessly to improve the care of patients.
“The impact this will have on the already struggling NHS will be terrible and it is something the public are clearly very concerned about, so why aren’t our politicians worried too?
“With a new prime minister taking office in a matter of weeks, action to prevent both the exodus of consultants and further industrial action by doctors in England is what the Government needs most urgently.
“If the government addresses these issues there is no need for a strike, but if it does not act now we have a power that consultants are ready to use.”
According to the BMA, approximately 35,067 advisors were eligible to vote and 18,069 people voted; participation was 51.53 percent.
About 14,000 people said they would be ready to join the strikes.
Consultants in England last walked out on strike between July and October 2023, including two strikes coordinated with junior doctors.
Meanwhile, the legal participation threshold was exceeded in a vote of specialist, subspecialist and specialist (SAS) doctors.
Approximately 2,738 SAS physicians voted, resulting in a turnout of 42.99 percent.
However, the BMA said 90 percent of those who took part in the vote voted in favor of the strike.
The BMA’s announcement comes after resident doctors in England accepted a Government offer to end a long-running dispute over pay and work.
The online survey took place between June 18 and 26; 52 percent of eligible members voted and turnout was 57 percent.
The new package includes standard 2016 junior doctor contract terms for all locally employed paramedics and a 6.6 per cent average salary increase to be fully implemented by April 2027.
There will also be 4,500 extra specialist training places available over three years.
