The protracted dispute between resident doctors and the government has taken an unexpected turn, as the British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed that a five-day strike scheduled for this week has been suspended. The decision follows a new offer from the government, which includes faster pay increases for next year, more training places for newly qualified doctors, and a commitment to cover doctors' examination fees.
The industrial action, which was set to run from 07:00 BST on Monday 15 June until 06:59 BST on Friday 19 June, has been put on hold, pending a vote by the BMA's members. The Health Secretary James Murray welcomed the move, describing it as a "positive and welcome" step that will benefit patients. He also highlighted the opportunity to "draw a line under the damaging disputes of recent years".
The government's new offer reportedly includes faster increases in pay scales for next year, which is seen as a key demand by the BMA. The union has been pushing for higher wages and better working conditions for resident doctors, who have seen their cumulative pay rise by 33% over the last four years. However, when accounting for inflation, they still earn around £1,200 less per month compared to what they would have earned in 2008.
Despite the eleventh-hour cancellation of the strike, some disruption to patient services has already occurred. NHS England had anticipated that 95% of operations and appointments would proceed as planned, but thousands had been postponed in preparation for the walkout. Reinstating these appointments to their original schedule is expected to be a significant challenge for hospitals across the country.
Resident doctors have received cumulative pay rises of 33% over the last four years, including a 3.5% increase this year. Starting salaries now stand at just over £40,000, with the most experienced resident doctors earning up to £76,500 in basic pay, excluding additional earnings for unsociable hours or extra shifts.
The suspension of the strike has been met with relief by various stakeholders. Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, called it a "vital chance to reset the conversation" and urged both parties to work towards a "fair, sustainable agreement". The BMA has engaged in a series of strikes in England since 2023, with the most recent being a six-day walkout in April after a previous offer was rejected.