Resident doctors in England call off strike after new offer from government


Resident doctors in England have called off strikes which were scheduled to begin on Monday.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said the government had “made a new offer” at the last minute which would be put to its members for a vote.

The walkout had been due to run from 07:00 BST on Monday 15 June until 06:59 Friday 19 June. It would have been the 16th in the long-running dispute over pay.

Health Secretary James Murray said the new offer was a “chance to draw a line under the damaging disputes of recent years” while the BMA said it had held up its “end of the bargain” after the government shifted its position.

The two sides had been in talks for days – including on Saturday, just hours before the strike was called off.

It came too late to avoid some patient disruption over the coming week.

While NHS England said 95% of operations and appointments were due to go ahead, thousands have been postponed. Reinstating them on the original timetable will be a tough task for hospitals.

But there was relief on both sides.

Government sources said there was no extra money on the table for this year – but that the offer proposed faster increases next year in pay scales.

In addition, it promised 4,500 extra training places for newly qualified doctors and that doctors’ exam fees would be covered.

Previously known as junior doctors, resident doctors have received pay rises worth 33% over the past four years, including a 3.5% increase this year.

It means starting salaries are now just over £40,000, with the most senior resident doctors getting £76,500 in basic pay. They can earn thousands more each year for things like working unsociable times and additional hours.

But the BMA argues they are still being paid a fifth less than they were in 2008 once inflation is taken into account.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Want to feel happier at work? Take a five-minute walk

    Lead researcher Keith Diaz told BBC News that most adults now spend three-quarters of their waking day sedentary. While general advice to “sit less and move more” is correct, people…

    Warning as Cheltenham General Hospital announces major changes amid strikes

    A hospital’s A&E will switch to a daytime-only Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU) while doctors strike. Cheltenham General Hospital’s A&E will close on Sunday at 20:00 BST and then…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    “It’s like lightning in a bottle” – Star Wars Galactic Racer devs spill the beans on why it’s so hard to make a game as good as Burnout Paradise

    “It’s like lightning in a bottle” – Star Wars Galactic Racer devs spill the beans on why it’s so hard to make a game as good as Burnout Paradise

    Mark Carney sidelined from at least 17 government deliberations because of corporate conflicts

    Mark Carney sidelined from at least 17 government deliberations because of corporate conflicts

    'Mustache' Exclusive Trailer

    'Mustache' Exclusive Trailer

    WATCH: Suspect charged after hitting 8 pedestrians in California hit-and-run rampage

    WATCH:  Suspect charged after hitting 8 pedestrians in California hit-and-run rampage

    Alan Wilson prevails in South Carolina GOP governor primary runoff election

    Alan Wilson prevails in South Carolina GOP governor primary runoff election

    Superhuman Has Acquired AI Authenticity Service GPTZero

    Superhuman Has Acquired AI Authenticity Service GPTZero