Resident doctors in England have voted to continue industrial action for another six months, piling fresh pressure on the Government to settle a bitter pay dispute. A resounding 93% of members who participated backed further strike action, giving union leaders a powerful mandate to threaten more walkouts.
The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed the ballot results and warned the Government it now has "nowhere to run" in the negotiations. The vote comes after 14 strikes since 2023 that have disrupted patient care and cost the NHS millions in unplanned expenses.
BMA demands settlement
Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said a deal remains within reach despite the strike mandate. «None of this needs to mean more strikes,» he stated. «In recent weeks, the Government has shown an improved approach in tone compared with the name-calling we saw late last year. A deal is there to be done: a new jobs package and an offer raising pay fairly over several years can be worked out through good will on both sides, in the interests of patients, staff and the whole NHS.»
Fletcher added: «And now that the mandate for strike action is confirmed for six months, the Government has nowhere to run and no means of running out the clock. With no choice but to get a deal, we hope that means a responsible approach from the health secretary and a timely settlement with no further need for strikes.»
Government cites pay rises already delivered
The Department for Health and Social Care defended its position, pointing to substantial pay increases already granted. «On top of a 28.9% pay rise over the last three years, this Government is continuing to work with the BMA to address the issues resident doctors face in their careers, including fast-tracking legislation to prioritise home grown medical graduates for specialty training places,» a spokesperson said.
The Government stressed ongoing talks. «The Government has been in intensive and constructive discussions with the BMA resident doctors committee since the start of the new year to try and bring an end to the damaging cycle of strikes and avoid further unnecessary disruption for patients and NHS staff. We hope that these talks result in an agreement that works for everyone, so that there is not any more strike action by resident doctors in 2026.»
Health Secretary Wes Streeting previously stated the Government cannot increase its pay offer further.
NHS leaders urge mediation
Hospital leaders reacted with deep concern to the vote. Matthew Taylor, interim chief executive of the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers, said: «NHS leaders will be bitterly disappointed that resident doctors have voted to continue with industrial action, especially given the huge impact that strikes have had on patients and the health service's performance and finances.»
Taylor warned of dire consequences. «Further strikes will pile yet more unplanned costs on NHS organisations, forcing health leaders to make difficult choices over reducing staff and patient services to try to balance their books. We cannot let these strikes roll through 2026, using up yet more scarce resources and impeding the progress the NHS needs to make in reducing waiting lists.»
He called for renewed negotiations: «Health leaders need to see the Government and BMA resume talks – through mediation if needed – to find a long-term solution to this dispute.»
The ballot saw 53% of eligible members participate. Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, represent a crucial workforce within the NHS.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
