NHS leaders have accused resident doctors of trying to cause 'maximum harm' to patients by staging a six-day strike next month over pay and conditions. The walkout, called by the British Medical Association (BMA), comes after talks with the government broke down.
Glen Burley, NHS England’s financial reset and accountability director, told a board meeting on Thursday that the BMA's decision was 'really disappointing for patients' and that the timing, during a busy period, 'feels like it’s trying to push maximum harm'. He expressed shock that the BMA’s resident doctors committee had not put the government’s latest offer to a full member vote.
The government had offered resident doctors an additional £700 million in pay over three years from 2026, plus faster progression through pay scales. However, the BMA insisted on receiving the full amount in one year – 2026-27 – and walked away when this was rejected.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting gave the BMA until 2 April to reconsider the offer, warning that if they did not, he would withdraw it entirely, including plans to expand specialist medical training places from 1,000 to 4,500. He claimed resident doctors' pay had risen by 35% over four years, but Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctors committee, called this 'misleading' due to inflation.
NHS England chief executive Jim Mackey said intensive negotiations since early January had brought them 'very, very, very close' to a deal. He described the breakdown as 'incredibly disappointing' and warned that the NHS must now prepare for a 'long distance' period of industrial action. The strike is set to begin on 7 April, continuing a dispute that started in March 2023.
