Consultant doctors across England have announced plans for a two-day strike set to begin at 06:59 GMT, with only emergency care staffing to be maintained during the walkout. The action follows negotiations between union leadership and the government that have taken place over the preceding month.
The British Medical Association, which represents the consultants, initiated the strike announcement following a membership vote held earlier in the year where 76% of participating consultants supported strike action. The union argues that despite receiving a 3.5% pay increase this year, consultant compensation has declined significantly when adjusted for inflation. The BMA is seeking multiple concessions from the government, including a reduction of the standard working week from 40 to 35 hours, increased compensation for out-of-hours work, and modifications to pension policies that would allow greater flexibility regarding when benefits can be accessed.
Consultants represent the most senior tier of hospital physicians in the healthcare system. Current compensation structures show basic pay beginning at £113,500 annually, with experienced consultants earning up to £150,500. The union notes that average earnings for the profession exceed £150,000 yearly when accounting for supplementary payments and awards. Leadership from the BMA’s consultants committee stated that negotiations with government representatives have been conducted in good faith but that progress has been insufficient, leading to the decision to proceed with strike action.
Health officials have characterized the planned strike as irresponsible and expressed concern about additional strain on healthcare services. The government noted that the strike represents opposition from a limited proportion of the total consultant workforce, as approximately half of all NHS consultants in England are not BMA members. This marks the first strike action by English consultants since 2023, following an extended dispute involving resident doctors that concluded earlier this year after multiple years of periodic walkouts.
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