Consultant doctors in England have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action in a dispute over pay and the length of the working week, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced on Monday.
Ballot Result and Mandate
The BMA said 86% of consultant members who voted backed strike action, on a turnout of 71%. The result gives the union a fresh mandate for industrial action, which could begin as soon as late July. The BMA has not yet announced dates for any walkouts but said it would consult members on next steps.
Consultants are the most senior doctors in the NHS, and their strike would be the first by this group in the history of the health service. The dispute centers on pay erosion and the government's refusal to negotiate over the consultant contract, which the BMA says has led to a 35% real-terms pay cut since 2008.
Pay and Working Week Demands
The BMA is demanding a full restoration of pay to 2008 levels, plus a new contract that would cap the working week at 48 hours. The government has offered a 6% pay rise for 2025-26 and said it is willing to discuss contract changes but has ruled out re-opening the pay deal for this year.
Dr. Vishal Sharma, chair of the BMA consultants committee, said: “The government has had every opportunity to avoid this ballot and to negotiate in good faith. Instead, it has chosen to ignore the concerns of the most senior doctors in the NHS, who are leaving the profession in droves. The result of this ballot should be a wake-up call.”
Impact on NHS Services
Any strike by consultants would cause significant disruption to NHS services, including the cancellation of planned operations and outpatient appointments. Consultants also provide emergency cover, and the BMA has said it would ensure life-preserving care is maintained during any strike.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was “disappointed” by the result and urged the BMA to reconsider. “We have made a fair and reasonable pay offer, and we remain committed to working with doctors to improve the NHS for patients and staff,” he said. “Strike action will only harm patients and put more pressure on an already stretched health service.”
Previous Strikes and Wider Context
The vote comes after junior doctors in England staged a series of strikes earlier this year, which led to thousands of cancellations. Consultants have not previously taken strike action, but many have expressed frustration over pay and working conditions. The BMA says that consultant morale is at an all-time low, with many considering early retirement or moving abroad.
The government has insisted that the 6% pay rise is final and that further negotiations would require a change in the economic outlook. However, the BMA argues that the offer still leaves consultants worse off than a decade ago.
