Resident Doctors’ Strike Sparks NHS Leadership Response
NHS leaders have criticized resident doctors for planning a six-day strike next month over pay and job concerns, stating the action will inflict "maximum harm" on patients.
Wes Streeting has set a deadline of 2 April for resident doctors in England to reconsider their position, offering an additional £700 million in pay over the next three years as part of a proposed resolution to the dispute.
The British Medical Association's (BMA) decision to withdraw from negotiations with the government and NHS officials has intensified tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict.
NHS Officials Express Disappointment Over BMA’s Withdrawal
During NHS England’s board meeting on Thursday, Glen Burley, NHS England’s financial reset and accountability director, expressed disappointment with the BMA’s move, emphasizing the potential impact on patients during a busy period.
"This is a point where we know we’ll be at a busy stage again. So it feels like it’s trying to push maximum harm and we will try and make sure that doesn’t happen," Burley said.
He also conveyed surprise that the BMA’s resident doctors committee chose not to put Streeting’s offer to a vote among all members, leaving the decision solely to the committee.
Chief Executive Comments on Prolonged Dispute
Jim Mackey, NHS England’s chief executive, stated that the BMA’s rejection and the planned six-day strike starting 7 April indicate that the dispute, which began in March 2023, is likely to continue for an extended period.
"We felt very, very, very close that we had a deal that could work for all parties. It’s incredibly disappointing that it fell to bits at the last minute," Mackey remarked.
"But we are where we are, so we are going to have to get ourselves organised about navigating what’s probably a long period now of dispute." He added that the NHS is preparing for industrial action akin to a "long distance" run.
BMA’s Position and Government Offer
On Wednesday, the BMA stated that negotiations had been progressing well until two weeks prior, when the government allegedly "began to shift the goalposts," though specifics were not provided.
According to previous reports, ministers proposed an additional £700 million in income for resident doctors between 2026 and 2029. This increase would be achieved by accelerating progression through pay scales, addressing the BMA’s demand for "full pay restoration" via a 26% salary increase.
However, the BMA insisted on receiving the entire sum in the 2026-27 fiscal year. When the government declined this request, the BMA withdrew from negotiations.
Government’s Final Offer and BMA’s Response
In the House of Commons on Thursday, Streeting urged the BMA to reconsider his offer within a week or risk its withdrawal. The offer includes plans to increase specialist medical training places from 1,000 to 4,500, addressing another key BMA demand.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s Resident Doctors Committee (RDC), criticized Streeting’s claim that resident doctors’ pay had increased by 35% over the past four years.
"It was misleading of Streeting to claim that resident doctors had seen their pay rise by 35% over the last four years – that was wildly overstating the case," Fletcher said, noting that inflation had eroded the value of any pay increases during that period.
