Resident Doctor Strike May Be Averted With New Govt Deal

Resident doctors in England may call off strike after new government offer expands training and covers expenses, but pay remains unchanged.

Next week’s planned strike by resident doctors in England could be canceled if members accept a new deal from the government. The British Medical Association (BMA) will soon consult members on whether the offer is sufficient to halt the walkout set for Wednesday, 17 December.

Key Points of the Offer

• Rapid expansion of specialist training posts, including an extra 4,000 posts by 2028.
• Emergency legislation to prioritize UK-trained doctors over overseas candidates in competitive speciality roles.
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, such as exam fees.
• No additional pay increase, despite previous rises of nearly 30% over the past three years.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that pay negotiations are off the table, but he highlighted the urgency to avoid disruption due to flu season and other hospital pressures.

Government and BMA Responses

Streeting expressed frustration with the BMA leadership, stating that potential strikes could force hospitals to cancel appointments and disrupt patient care. He also offered to extend the BMA’s strike mandate into January if members reject the deal.

Dr. Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA resident doctors committee, acknowledged the progress made through strike action but stressed that pay restoration remains unresolved. The BMA argues that doctors’ real pay is still a fifth lower than in 2008 after accounting for inflation.