Senior hospital doctors in England have agreed to cancel a two-day strike scheduled for late November, a move that follows recent discussions with the government regarding their long-standing grievances. The walkout, which was set for 25 and 26 November, was called off after Health Secretary Yvette Cooper agreed to enter formal negotiations with the British Medical Association, or BMA.
The decision to pause the industrial action was met with relief by NHS leaders, who had expressed concern about the capacity of hospitals to manage routine and elective care during the stoppage. Under the original plan, consultants would have limited their duties to emergency care only, likely causing significant delays for non-urgent treatments and procedures.
The dispute, which began when 18 months of previous talks failed to reach a consensus, centers on key issues including a 25% reduction in the real-terms value of salaries since the 2009-10 period and a request to cut working hours by 10%. Consultants voted in July to take action after these demands went unmet.
Dr. Helen Neary and Dr. Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA consultants committee, stated that the union welcomes the opportunity to negotiate formally. They emphasized that strikes are not necessary if the government is willing to engage in genuine discussions. The pair noted that they have received assurances that the negotiations will not be constrained, and they look forward to hearing proposals on both pay and working conditions.
Despite the progress, uncertainty remains regarding the outcome. Health Secretary Cooper has indicated that she is not yet prepared to discuss pay, which is a central demand for the consultants. The Department for Health and Social Care has clarified that the current negotiation mandate does not allow for an increase beyond the 3.5% pay rise already granted for the 2026/27 financial year.
The BMA argues that despite the recent 3.5% increase, consultant pay has fallen by a quarter over the past 17 years in real terms. The union stressed the need for meaningful progress on these salary cuts, alongside unsustainable workloads and worsening conditions. The committee remains prepared to strike again if a deal that recognizes the value of consultants is not reached.
Cooper described her talks with the BMA as constructive, highlighting discussions about reforms that could give consultants a stronger voice and greater flexibility. She noted that the decision to cancel the strike is welcome news for patients, as it avoids disruption and allows staff to prepare for a challenging winter. However, she did not explicitly address the BMA’s demand to rectify the 25% erosion in salary value.
Sources from the Department for Health and Social Care stated that the government cannot justify increasing pay for some of the highest earners at the expense of patient care while the country struggles with the cost of living. Consultants in England typically earn around £152,000 per year when overtime and merit awards are included, a figure that has risen by approximately £25,000 since 2022.
Ciaran Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, which represents the 205 NHS trusts in England, called the cancellation a positive step. He had previously warned that the strike would have forced hospitals to postpone operations and outpatient appointments scheduled for the final week of the month. Negotiations between the parties are due to begin next week.
The BMA framed its initial proposal for strike action as a measure to ensure consultants have the time, recognition, and support needed to deliver high-quality care. The union aims to secure the future of the NHS while preventing staff from being driven to burnout, a sentiment that continues to underpin their approach to the ongoing discussions.
