NHS summer chaos ahead as junior doctors vote to go on strike – could your treatment be affected?
Resident doctors have today overwhelmingly voted to strike, firing the starting gun on a Labour summer of discontent.
British Medical Association (BMA) officials announced 90 per cent of those balloted—previously known as junior doctors— voted in favour of taking action.
The move could see the NHS face six months of disruption, with walks outs lasting until January next year.
The group of medics have already taken industrial action 11 times since 2002, crippling services and forcing health bosses to cancel an estimated 1.5million appointments.
Many resident doctors were offered a 5.4 per cent pay uplift in May following a review of public sector pay.
The increase, recommended by an independent pay review body, was above the rate of inflation, which jumped to 3.5 per cent in April, the highest since January 2024.
But union leaders labelled the uplift an ‘insult to doctors’ and said a pay lift of 29.2 per cent was vital to reverse ‘pay erosion’ since 2008.
BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt today said in a statement: ‘Doctors have spoken and spoken clearly: they won’t accept that they are worth a fifth less than they were in 2008.
British Medical Association (BMA) officials announced 90 per cent of those balloted—previously known as junior doctors— voted in favour of taking action
A recent YouGov poll found that 48 per cent of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike, while 39 per cent support them taking action
‘Our pay may have declined but our will to fight remains strong.
‘We now find ourselves at a crucial crossroads. Last year when in opposition Mr Streeting said that the solution to strikes was to talk to resident doctors—it was as true then as it is now.
‘He made a point of acting quickly to grasp the issue and negotiate a solution.
‘Only a few weeks ago he again said he wanted to get back round the table with us.
‘Now we will see if he can once again make the right decision—he needs to come forward as soon as possible with a credible path to pay restoration.’
They added: ‘All we need is a credible pay offer and nobody need strike.
‘Doctors don’t take industrial action lightly—but they know it is preferable to watching their profession wither away.
‘The next move is the Government’s. Will it repeat the mistakes of its predecessor?
Last month, health secretary Wes Streeting said walkouts should be the last resort, with warnings they would be ‘immensely disruptive for patient care’
Mr Streeting also pointed out that the average 5.4 per cent award for resident doctors is the highest in the public sector
‘Or will it do the right thing and negotiate a path to full pay restoration and the restoration of doctors’ confidence in our profession’s future?’
Last month, health secretary Wes Streeting said walkouts should be the last resort, with warnings they would be ‘immensely disruptive for patient care’.
He pointed out that the average 5.4 per cent award for resident doctors is the highest in the public sector.
Responding to the announcement today, a Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘While most resident doctors in the BMA did not vote to strike, it is disappointing that the BMA is continuing to threaten strike action after a pay rise of 28.9 per cent over the last three years.
‘The Secretary of State has been clear that he wants to work constructively with all unions, including the BMA, to improve working conditions for NHS staff and avoid strike action, which can be hugely disruptive for patients.’
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, also said: ‘Resident doctors voting for more industrial action after the largest series of pay awards in the public sector is a troubling development.
‘Further strikes are the last thing health leaders wanted and could result in tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of operations and procedures being delayed or cancelled, leaving patients in pain or discomfort.’
He added: ‘Our members will continue to try to provide the best care possible and maintain patient safety during any industrial action.
The group of medics have already taken industrial action 11 times since 2002, crippling services and forcing health bosses to cancel an estimated 1.5million appointments
‘But it’s vital that the BMA also reflect on the way in which their last strikes were conducted to see if they can find better responses to requests for help.’
A recent YouGov poll also found that 48 per cent of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike, while 39 per cent support them taking action.
YouGov said this ‘marks a shift in opinion’ of public support of striking junior doctors last summer, when the majority of Britons—52 per cent—said they supported the action.
Last September, BMA members voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3 per cent on average over two years.
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Doctors ‘excited’ by prospect of more strikes – after biggest public sector pay rise
The review of public sector pay in May also saw resident doctors given a 4 per cent uplift plus £750 ‘on a consolidated basis’—working out as an average pay rise of 5.4 per cent.
Turnout for today’s strike action ballot was 55.3 per cent, down from 61.9 per cent in 2024.
The June to August 2023 ballot, meanwhile stood at 71.3 per cent and January to February ballot, 77.5 per cent.
On a turnout of 55.3 per cent, with 90 per cent voting in favour, roughly just 49.8 per cent of BMA resident doctor members voted in favour of strike action.
The BMA call for a 29.2 per cent uplift is based on Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, the measure of average changes in the price of goods and services used by most households.
There are around 77,000 resident doctors in England who work in various settings from GP surgeries to hospitals.
Resident doctor is a catchall term for all doctors in training ranging from graduates to medics with a decade of experience.
