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Resident doctors announce strike from 15 to 19 June as pay dispute with government continues
The BMA has announced that resident doctors in England will strike from 15 to 19 June, with further action possible in July. The new Health Secretary James Murray has not improved the government's pay offer. Dr Jack Fletcher says they remain vague on new jobs with no further money on the table.
Resident doctors in England will go on strike from 15 to 19 June as part of their long-running pay dispute with the government, the British Medical Association has announced. The BMA confirmed the strike dates and warned that further industrial action could follow in July if the dispute remains unresolved. The announcement represents a significant escalation in what has become one of the most protracted industrial disputes in NHS history.
Dr Jack Fletcher, Chair of the BMA's Resident Doctors Committee, expressed frustration that the new Health Secretary James Murray had not improved the government's offer since taking office. Fletcher stated that the government remained vague on new jobs and that there was no further money on the table, leaving doctors with little choice but to take action. The strike will affect hospital services across England.
Health Secretary James Murray responded to the announcement by saying he was really disappointed that the BMA had called the strike, describing it as unnecessary and totally avoidable. Murray said he had met with the BMA committee and made clear that his door was open to working with them on job progression, working conditions, and training opportunities.
The dispute over pay for resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, has been ongoing for several years. Doctors argue that their real-terms pay has fallen significantly over the past decade and that the government's offers have failed to address the erosion of their wages. The BMA has maintained that meaningful pay restoration is essential to retaining doctors within the NHS and preventing further brain drain to other countries.
The upcoming strike is expected to cause significant disruption to NHS services, with hospitals likely to operate on a reduced schedule during the five-day action. Previous strikes by resident doctors have led to the cancellation of thousands of appointments and operations. Patient safety remains a priority, with emergency and critical care services expected to continue during the strike period. The public response to the dispute has been mixed, with many expressing sympathy for doctors' pay concerns while also worrying about the impact on patient care.