Displaying items by tag: resident doctors

A five-day strike by resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) in England will proceed starting 25 July, following talks between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Government that failed to produce a resolution. Despite five days of discussion, the BMA stated that no credible offer for pay restoration was made. Health secretary Wes Streeting urged the union to postpone the strike, promising to continue talks, but the BMA maintained that pay remains central to the dispute. The Government offered non-pay improvements, such as exam fee coverage, greater rota transparency, and potential student loan forgiveness, but could not offer further pay increases. Resident doctors received a 5.4% pay rise this year, following a 22% increase over the past two years. However, the BMA argues real-terms pay remains 20% lower than in 2008. NHS England is attempting to limit disruption by restricting the cancellation of non-urgent treatments, a move some doctors warn could jeopardise safety. The strike risks renewed pressure on an already strained health system.