Consultant doctors in England have voted in favor of strike action over the next 12 months, seeking higher pay and a shorter working week, raising concerns about renewed disruption in the National Health Service (NHS). The decision comes a week after resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, ended their long-running dispute after accepting the government's latest offer.
Ballot results and turnout
In a ballot conducted by the British Medical Association (BMA), 76% of consultants who voted indicated readiness for industrial action. However, only 18,069 of the 35,067 BMA-member consultants participated, resulting in a turnout of 51.5%—just above the 50% threshold required by industrial relations law for a strike to proceed. Of those who voted, 13,695 (75.8%) supported strike action, while 4,369 (24.2%) opposed it.
Consultants, who earn an average of £152,000 annually, argue that their salaries have declined in real terms by 25% since 2008-09. They are demanding a multi-year pay deal to address this erosion. The legal mandate for action lasts one year, longer than the six-month mandates typically held by resident doctors, due to the government's recent Employment Rights Act.
Government response
Health Secretary James Murray criticized the vote, stating there is “no justification” for consultants—who are among the top 2% of earners in the UK—to strike for more pay. He noted that basic starting pay for consultants has increased by 28.5% over the past four years, with current salaries ranging from £113,565 to £150,569, excluding overtime and merit awards of up to £42,000. Murray urged the BMA and consultants not to rush into “unnecessary and disruptive industrial action” and instead work with the government.
Sources close to Murray highlighted that fewer than two in five BMA-member consultants backed industrial action, representing 35,067 of England's 66,759 consultants. Ministers have stated they will not revisit the 3.5% pay rise for consultants for 2026/27.
BMA stance and potential impact
Dr. Helen Neary and Dr. Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA's consultants committee, said: “This is a clear message from consultants in England that they are not willing to tolerate the continued attack on their pay and professional value and that, if necessary, they are willing to act.” They emphasized that no strikes need occur if the government addresses these issues, but the mandate is prepared for use if it does not.
Beyond a multi-year pay deal, consultants seek higher pay for out-of-hours work, a reduction in the working week from 40 to 37.5 hours, and more time for innovative patient care approaches rather than direct clinical work.
NHS Alliance concern
The NHS Alliance, representing NHS trusts in England, expressed unease. Chief Executive Ciarán Devane said: “Health leaders will be disappointed that senior doctors have voted in favour of potential industrial action and now have a mandate to strike over the next 12 months. Should they go ahead, any walkouts by consultants would once again impact the delivery of vital services and patient care.” He urged senior doctors to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve issues without further affecting patient care.
