Consultant doctors call off strike after 'constructive' talks over pay, BMA says

Consultants in England have halted strike action and will not walk out at the end of the month, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.

Senior doctors had planned industrial action on November 25 and 26 in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Strikes have now been paused to allow for formal negotiations with the government, the union said.

The move was welcomed by Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, who said she had had “constructive” talks with the BMA’s consultants committee.

BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said: “We welcome the opportunity to enter formal negotiations with the government and hope this marks a turning point in a dispute that has gone on for far too long.

“We’ve always said strikes do not need to go ahead as long as the government is willing to genuinely negotiate, and now is their chance to do so.

“We have received assurances that there are no constraints on what we discuss in these negotiations, and we look forward to hearing their proposals on both pay and working conditions.”

However, the BMA warned “patience is not infinite” and that further strikes will be announced if talks fail.

Dr Neary and Dr Datta said: “Consultants have lost a quarter of their pay in real terms over 17 years, while working under increasingly unsustainable pressures.

“But this is about more than pay; it is also about ensuring consultants have the time, recognition and support they need to deliver the best possible care for patients and secure the future of the NHS, while not driving themselves to burn-out.

“Pausing strike action in England gives both sides the opportunity to make progress.

“After 18 months of dispute, however, our patience is not infinite, and should these negotiations fail to swiftly deliver on the issues at the heart of this dispute, we will call further action.

“Consultants deserve a deal that recognises our value and gives us a sustainable future in the NHS, both for ourselves and our patients.”

Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.

The health secretary said the decision to call off strikes is “welcome news for patients and the wider NHS, avoiding disruption to care and allowing NHS staff to focus on delivering services and preparing for a challenging winter”.

“I had a constructive discussion with the BMA consultants committee on reforms that could give consultants a stronger voice, greater flexibility and more freedom to innovate, while improving services for patients,” Cooper added.

“We are committed to taking that work forward together in the weeks ahead.”

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know