Consultants in England pause upcoming strike action
Consultants in England have paused industrial action and will not walk out at the end of the month, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.
Senior doctors were set to strike on November 25 and 26 in a dispute over pay and working conditions.
This has now been paused to allow for formal negotiations with the Government, the union said.
The move was welcomed by Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, who said she had had “constructive” talks with the BMA’s consultants committee.
BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said: “We welcome the opportunity to enter formal negotiations with the Government and hope this marks a turning point in a dispute that has gone on for far too long.
“We’ve always said strikes do not need to go ahead as long as the Government is willing to genuinely negotiate, and now is their chance to do so.
“We have received assurances that there are no constraints on what we discuss in these negotiations, and we look forward to hearing their proposals on both pay and working conditions.”
But the BMA warned “patience is not infinite” and further strikes will be announced if talks fail.
Dr Neary and Dr Datta said: “Consultants have lost a quarter of their pay in real terms over 17 years, while working under increasingly unsustainable pressures.
“But this is about more than pay; it is also about ensuring consultants have the time, recognition and support they need to deliver the best possible care for patients and secure the future of the NHS, while not driving themselves to burn-out.
“Pausing strike action in England gives both sides the opportunity to make progress. After 18 months of dispute, however, our patience is not infinite, and should these negotiations fail to swiftly deliver on the issues at the heart of this dispute, we will call further action.
“Consultants deserve a deal that recognises our value and gives us a sustainable future in the NHS, both for ourselves and our patients.”
Ms Cooper said: “The BMA consultants committee’s decision to call off planned strike action is welcome news for patients and the wider NHS, avoiding disruption to care and allowing NHS staff to focus on delivering services and preparing for a challenging winter.
“I had a constructive discussion with the BMA consultants committee on reforms that could give consultants a stronger voice, greater flexibility and more freedom to innovate, while improving services for patients.
“We are committed to taking that work forward together in the weeks ahead.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub