As resident doctors began a new round of industrial action on Friday, the British Medical Association (BMA) claimed the stoppage was wholly justified, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting riposted that it was irresponsible and risky. Thousands of patients had their appointments or surgery cancelled as hospitals attempted to minimise disruption.
The dispute is now one of the longest-running in NHS history, with the UK on its fourth prime minister since the BMA decided in June 2022 that resident doctors in England deserved “full pay restoration”. The union seeks to return pay to 2008 levels, eroded by austerity-era low annual rises and inflation. The BMA initially sought a 35% hike.
Pay has risen 28.9% over the past three years, including 22% under Labour, but the BMA says a further 26% uplift is still needed for full pay restoration. This 13th strike will continue until 7am next Wednesday.
Insiders reveal that the roots of the dispute owe as much to internal BMA politics as to government policy. Younger, early-career doctors felt let down by the union over a series of events, starting with the failed 2015/16 dispute with Jeremy Hunt over weekend working. The pandemic and pay arguments bred “disillusionment, frustration and anger”.
In 2022, a group called Doctors Vote staged a “coup”, getting supporters elected to almost half the seats on the BMA’s ruling council. It pushed for unending strikes as the means to achieve full pay restoration. Emma Runswick, a key protagonist, became deputy chair of council and dominant in tactics and public positioning.
