Wes Streeting is set to resume discussions with doctors this week in an effort to prevent further NHS strikes. The Health Secretary will return to negotiations in an escalating dispute with the British Medical Association, which recently led resident doctors in a five-day strike just before the Christmas period. The union is advocating for improved pay and more training opportunities for young doctors to address bottlenecks that hinder some from securing NHS positions.
Mr. Streeting emphasized the importance of avoiding ongoing industrial action, stating that it is not beneficial for resident doctors, the government, patients, or other staff to disrupt the NHS with strikes. He highlighted that there is currently a six-week period without strike action, as the BMA is in the process of balloting for further action.
The BMA is pushing for a 26% pay increase over the coming years to counteract salary erosion since 2008. While the Government cites a 5% decrease in average resident doctor salaries using the Consumer Price Index, the BMA argues that salaries have decreased by a fifth based on the Retail Price Index.
Despite recent pay increases for resident doctors, a disagreement arose over the 5.4% pay rise allocated for 2025/26. A proposal by Mr. Streeting to create more NHS training positions was turned down in a pre-Christmas vote by doctors, who were deterred by his confrontational stance towards BMA leadership.
Following these events, Mr. Streeting announced plans to meet with the BMA’s Resident Doctors Committee chair this week to address the ongoing issues. This development comes after the NHS reported that 95% of pre-planned care was delivered during the last strike period in England, emphasizing the impact of strikes on NHS operations.
Dr. Jack Fletcher, the chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, expressed the importance of resolving the dispute for the benefit of doctors and patients. He called for the Government to propose viable solutions to the jobs crisis and commit to restoring the value of the medical profession. Dr. Fletcher stressed the need for collaborative efforts to prevent further strikes and urged the Government to approach negotiations constructively.