BMA to ballot senior doctors in England over strikes as pay dispute escalates | Doctors
England’s senior doctors are to be elected over the prospect of strikes, the British Medical Association has announced.
The union said simultaneous consultant and specialist, associate specialist and specialist (SAS) doctors’ ballots would take place from May 11 to July 6, as the two groups of doctors escalate their differences with the government.
He said this followed a lack of progress in negotiations and “insufficient” remuneration.
Last week the government announced doctors would get a 3.5% pay rise after accepting a recommendation from the pay review body. At the time, the union described the salary award as a “hard blow” to doctors.
Co-chairs of the BMA Consultants Committee, Dr Shanu Datta and Dr Helen Neary, said in a statement: “Over recent months we have had discussions with the Government, but we have made clear that without action to reverse a persistent devaluation of the profession, consultants would be forced to seriously consider taking industrial action again.
“Unfortunately, over the course of discussions, we have not seen enough progress to give consultants confidence that their concerns are being taken seriously.
“Nor that the government is committed to keeping the most experienced and expert doctors practicing here and ensuring their expertise serves patients and the public for years to come. »
BMA SAS Committee Chairman Dr Ujjwala Mohite said: “Along with salary erosion, SAS doctors face barriers to career development and a lack of opportunities that recognize their skills and the value they bring to hospitals and patients.
“While we have made it clear that we no longer accept this situation and that our members are ready to act, we have seen far too little progress from the Government in negotiations, and now ministers and the DDRB have missed another opportunity to tackle wage erosion.
“So, together with our fellow consultants, we are obliged to take this fight to the next stage. »
The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.
