England Consultants to Strike on 25 November — SkimNews
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- BMA announced a two-day strike for consultants in England beginning 25 November at 06:59 GMT; consultants will staff emergency care only, and most routine, elective and planned services are likely to face major disruption.
- Consultants received a 3.5% pay increase this year, but the BMA argues that inflation-adjusted pay has fallen by a quarter over the past 17 years.
- BMA demands include reducing the standard working week from 40 to 35 hours, increasing pay for out-of-hours work and allowing greater flexibility over when pensions can be taken.
- Consultants have average earnings above £150,000 a year, with basic pay starting at £113,500 and reaching £150,500 for the most experienced; many also receive tens of thousands in extra payments and awards.
- Helen Neary, co-chair of the BMA consultants committee, and fellow co-chair Shanu Datta said they had negotiated in “good faith” but ministers repeatedly “kicked the can down the road,” forcing them to announce strikes.
- BMA members voted in a strike ballot where 76% of participants supported action and just over half of eligible members took part; government says that equates to only around one in five NHS England consultants because nearly half are not BMA members.
- Yvette Cooper called the strike “irresponsible” and said it would place the health service under even greater pressure, while describing government discussions with the BMA as constructive.
Why it matters: Both sides describe a month of negotiations, but the unresolved dispute puts 25 November hospital schedules at risk, with consultants staffing emergency care only. For patients awaiting routine or elective treatment, the BMA's demands include a 35-hour week, while the government says the walkout would add even greater pressure to the NHS.
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