Senior doctors back strike action in England over pay and conditions

NHS consultants have overwhelmingly backed strike action in England as members want more pay. 

Around 86% of British Medical Association (BMA) members backed strikes over what the union called repeated pay cuts. The BMA had already announced a walkout would take place on 20 and 21 July if doctors backed the action. 

The senior doctor’s strike will come off the heels of a five-day strike by junior doctors. The back-to-back strike action is set to lead to huge disruptions of services and cancelled treatments. 

The junior doctor walkout will end on 18 July. Consultants will be providing what is being described as Christmas Day cover during their own strike – so emergency care will be provided, along with a very limited amount of routine work.

BMA boss Dr Vishal Sharma said the vote shows how “furious” doctors are at being repeatedly devalued by the government. He also said current pay and conditions are leading to mass quitting of NHS staff and strikes were a “last resort.” 

“Consultants don’t want to have to take industrial action, but have been left with no option in the face of a government that continues to cut our pay year after year.”