NHS consultant doctors to strike for two days in November

Summarised from 9 outlets · 10 reports · Updated 26 Oct, 10:38 · Archive

Senior consultant doctors in England will stage a 48-hour walkout from 25 November in a dispute over pay and pensions.

Consultant doctors in England plan to strike for two days from 25 November in a dispute over pay and pensions, the British Medical Association has announced. The walkout will begin at 06:59 GMT and last 48 hours, with consultants providing emergency cover only during the action.

The strike follows a ballot earlier this year in which 76 per cent of consultants who participated voted in favour of industrial action. Turnout was just over the 50 per cent threshold needed for the ballot to be valid.

Consultants in England were given a 3.5 per cent pay increase this year. However, the BMA argues that when adjusted for inflation, consultant pay has fallen by a quarter over the past 17 years. The government has proposed a 2.4 per cent pay rise for the 2027/28 financial year, which the BMA says is insufficient given rising inflation and increasing demands on the NHS.

Talks took place between the BMA and the government over the past month. The Independent reports that a meeting has been scheduled for 5 November, after the budget. The BMA said recent discussions have failed to progress its demands in any meaningful way.

Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA's consultants committee, said in a joint statement that senior doctors had attempted to negotiate in 'good faith' but that 'time-and-time again ministers have kicked the can down the road'. They added: 'Consultants take their responsibilities incredibly seriously, and striking does not come naturally, but we are hearing loud and clear from the profession that they have had enough.'

The BMA statement emphasised that consultants play a crucial role in providing frontline care, running NHS services and training the future medical workforce. The union said solving the pressures facing the health service would be 'impossible without valuing and retaining these doctors'.

This will be the first strike involving consultants in England since 2023, when senior doctors staged a series of walkouts between July and October. The Evening Standard reports that strike action can be avoided if Health Secretary Yvette Cooper commits to formal negotiations on pay and working conditions. Emergency cover will continue during the strike, similar to staffing levels on Christmas Day.

How it is being reported

• Senior doctors in England plan November strikeThe BMA said the industrial action can be avoided if ministers commit to talks on pay and working conditions.Evening Standard · 26 Oct, 11:04
• Senior doctors to strike for two days over pay as NHS braces for winterSenior doctors are planning to walk out next month after the union accused the Government of 'ignoring concerns' around the 'wellbeing and workload' of medicsThe Mirror · 26 Oct, 10:50
• Senior doctors in England to go on strike for two days in November as BMA brands proposed 2.4% pay rise 'an insult'In a statement, the group said: 'It is simply not good enough that our repeated calls to enter formal negotiations with a mandate demanding a credible offer have not been acted upon.'Daily Mail · 26 Oct, 10:31
• Senior doctors in England plan November strikeThe BMA said the industrial action can be avoided if ministers commit to talks on pay and working conditions.Evening Standard · 26 Oct, 10:27
• Senior NHS doctors to strike over pay rowTalks over pay had taken place with the government over the past monthThe Independent · 26 Oct, 10:26
• Senior doctors set for two-day strike in dispute over pay and pensionsConsultants were given a 3.5% pay increase this year.Daily Express · 26 Oct, 10:25
• NHS consultants to go on two-day strike in England in November, says BMAIndustrial action by senior doctors to begin on 25 November, with only emergency cover provided, union says Senior doctors in England plan to go on strike for two days in November, the British Medical Association has said. The industrial action by consultants is to begin at 6.59am on 25 November, with only emergency cover to be provided. Continue reading...The Guardian · 26 Oct, 10:24
• Senior doctors to strike for two days as NHS faces fresh disruptionSenior doctors in England have announced plans to go on strike for two days in November. The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that consultant doctors will begin a two-day walkout beginning on the 25 November. The strike by senior doctors has been announced following a dispute over pay and pensions. Consultants will provide emergency cover only across the two days. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Doctors took part in a British Medical Association ballot earlier this year, which ruled in favour of the strike. Although turnout was just over the 50 per cent threshold needed for…GB News · 26 Oct, 10:23
• Consultant doctors in England to strike next monthSenior doctors to stage 48-hour walkout, beginning on 25 November, in dispute over pay and pensions.BBC News · 26 Oct, 10:11
• Senior doctors to strike for two days in NovemberSenior doctors in England plan to go on strike for two days in November over pay, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.Sky News · 26 Oct, 08:12

In this story: British Medical Association · Dr Helen Neary · Dr Shanu Datta · Yvette Cooper · England · NHS

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