Resident doctors to strike for 16th time next month over pay
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced another round of strike action by resident doctors.
The walkout from 7am on Monday, June 15 to 6.59am on Friday, June 19 June will be the 16th in the long-running dispute over pay.
Basic pay for a new full-time first year doctor will be £40,190 this year.
After allowing for the impact of additional earnings, such as for working additional or unsocial hours, this is expected to increase average earnings to over £50,000.
For the most experienced full-time resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors), basic pay will be £76,582. After allowing for the impact of additional earnings, this is expected to increase average earnings to over £100,000
Resident doctors have had a 33.4 per cent pay rise over the last four years – the highest anywhere across the public sector.
In March, ministers offered the BMA a deal which included more training jobs, faster career progression and a plan to cover out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees.
But it was rejected, and BMA members then took part in a six-day strike in April.
The announcement of the latest strike came after a meeting on Wednesday between the BMA and new Health Secretary James Murray, who replaced Wes Streeting earlier this month.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of RDC, said: “We had hoped that a change in leadership at the Department of Health and Social Care would lead to a change in approach. Sadly, we have run up against the same unwillingness to move we encountered under Mr Streeting.
“We were prepared to give Mr Murray time to settle into his role before completing the work his predecessor left unfinished - to both make a fair and meaningful pay offer and make concrete commitments to end the jobs bottleneck throttling the careers of our colleagues. He had a genuine opportunity to break this logjam with fresh energy and ambition.
"He has not taken it. Instead, we are hearing the same tired line: vagueness on new jobs and no further money on the table. We cannot be asked to negotiate in good faith for weeks, only to be told there is nothing left to negotiate about on pay and no further details at this stage on jobs."
Matthew Hopkins, interim acute and ambulance network director at The NHS Alliance, said: “This decision to strike yet again is rash and wholly irresponsible and will leave patients paying the price.
"This latest round of industrial action, the 16th stoppage in the last three years, puts at risk the hard worn progress the health service has made in recent months in bringing down waiting lists and driving up productivity.
“Health leaders and their teams will be deeply concerned about the threat of this fresh walkout by resident doctors, given the additional pressure it would place on already stretched clinical and administrative colleagues.
“As always, every effort will be made to minimise disruption, but thousands of people still face having appointments and operations rescheduled.”
Here is what you need to know:
Appointments: Some non-urgent outpatient appointments and elective operations may need to be postponed. The Trust will contact you directly if your appointment needs to be rearranged; otherwise, you should attend as normal.
Emergencies: For life-threatening or serious emergencies, continue to call 999 or go to A&E. Be prepared for long waits if your condition is not critical.
Non-Emergencies: If you need medical help and it is not an emergency, the NHS advises using 111 Online or calling 111 first to be directed to the most appropriate service.
GP and Dental Services: Your local GP practices and dental surgeries will remain open and operate as normal.
Pharmacy: Consider visiting your local pharmacy for help with minor illnesses or common ailments.