Junior Doctors and Consultants to Take Joint Strike Action Over Pay

Junior doctors and consultants in the National Health Service (NHS) are set to unite in a historic move as they prepare to take joint strike action over pay. This will mark the first time that junior doctors and consultants will walk out together, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the current pay structure.

When will the strikes take place?

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that the strikes will occur over several days in September and October. Consultants will go on strike on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th September, with “Christmas Day cover” arranged for these dates. Junior doctors, on the other hand, will strike on Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st, and Friday 22nd September. Both consultants and junior doctors will also participate in another strike on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd, and Wednesday 4th October.

Dr Rob Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, the joint chairs of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, have warned that the strikes will continue until spring 2025 if necessary.

How will the NHS be affected?

The NHS has already experienced significant disruption due to previous strikes, with nearly a million appointments and operations cancelled since last December. The upcoming joint strike action is expected to cause major disruption to care once again. Routine appointments are likely to be cancelled, with emergency care taking priority.

Consultants will not be able to provide cover for junior doctor absence during the strikes as they have done in the past. Instead, a form of action known as “Christmas Day cover” will be implemented. This action aims to maintain the lowest safe level of staffing, similar to what is typically expected on Christmas Day. Emergency care will still be provided, but elective and non-emergency work will be cancelled.

The NHS advises people to continue using 999 for life-threatening emergencies and NHS 111 online for other health concerns. GP services and pharmacies remain accessible as usual.

Why are doctors striking?

The BMA is advocating for a significant salary increase for junior doctors to achieve “full pay restoration.” They are demanding a 35% salary increase, as they argue that the value of their salaries has fallen by 26.2% in real terms since 2008. In contrast, doctors who started training this year are due to receive a 10.3% pay increase, with the average junior doctor receiving an 8.8% rise. Consultants have been offered a 6% increase.

Dr Laurenson and Dr Trivedi emphasized that junior doctors are prepared to continue their industrial action until a credible offer is presented by the government. They urge the Prime Minister to engage in negotiations to resolve the ongoing dispute.

The Health Secretary expressed disappointment with the joint strike action, highlighting the negative impact it has on patient care. He called for an end to the disruption and stressed the finality of the pay award.

It remains to be seen how the government and medical professionals will navigate this dispute, but the joint strike action by junior doctors and consultants underscores their determination for better pay and improved working conditions within the NHS.