Last-minute offer halts resident doctor strike
Resident doctor strikes scheduled to start today in England have been called off following a last-minute offer from the government.
After weeks of talks, the executive of the British Medical Association’s resident doctors committee announced on Saturday (13 June) that it would put the government’s new offer to its members and cancel what would have been the 16th strike in the long-running dispute over pay and a lack of jobs.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors committee, said: “We have always been clear that no strikes needed to go ahead if we received an offer appropriate to put to our members.
Resident doctor strikes
Resident doctors announce 16th strike
Resident doctors lose training places after failing to call off strike
“This should not have been left to the last moment, but we hold up our end of the bargain when the government shifts its position.
“All we have asked for is a fair offer that secures enough jobs to tackle the madness of doctor unemployment and take steps to address the erosion of our pay.
“Tens of thousands of frontline doctors will now vote in a referendum on whether this offer is sufficient.”
He added that if members say no to the offer, plans will continue for further escalated action next month.
The offer includes:
- 4,500 specialty training places over the next three years to tackle the jobs bottleneck
- All locally employed doctors to be offered the terms and conditions of the standard 2016 resident doctor contract
- In combination with this year’s recommendation of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB), an average 6.6% pay uplift, fully delivered by April 2027, with a further uplift in April 2027 following the next DDRB recommendation.
This would be achieved by faster nodal point reform and pay uplifts twice a year contingent on career progression - Exam, portfolio & membership fees covered
- Guaranteed annual career progression for doctors who work less than full time who meet their competencies
- Increased pay premia for medical academics.
Health secretary James Murray said: “It is a positive and welcome development – especially for patients – that the BMA have called off these unnecessary strikes.
“The country simply cannot afford to increase the pay offer for this year. I am pleased that the BMA have recognised this, which has allowed us to make progress in other areas, such as training places and working conditions.”
Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, said: “Health leaders will welcome this eleventh hour decision to suspend the planned strike action while they consider the Government’s latest offer.
“This is a vital chance to reset the conversation. We urge both sides to use this opportunity to reach a fair, sustainable agreement that supports doctors, strengthens the NHS and maintains patient care.”
HR opportunities in healthcare on Personnel Today
Browse more HR opportunities in healthcare
The post Last-minute offer halts resident doctor strike appeared first on Personnel Today.
Source: www.personneltoday.com