A resident doctor has sparked debate after sharing her payslip on social media, revealing a take-home pay of £2,514.56 per month. The disclosure comes as thousands of resident doctors in England prepare for a five-day strike starting July 25, demanding a 29.2% pay rise to address what they call 'pay erosion' since 2008-2009.
Imogen, a foundation year 1 doctor, posted a TikTok video showing her base salary of £36,616, with an hourly rate of £17.56. After deductions, her net pay was £2,514.56, including overtime and weekend supplements. She compared this with a 2005 payslip from Dr Elena Mucci, who earned £2,416, highlighting a difference of just £98.83 over nearly two decades.
The post drew mixed reactions. Some expressed shock, with one commenter noting they earn more without saving lives or working long hours. Another said doctors should be the highest-paid professionals. However, others defended the salary, pointing to the pension scheme and future earning potential. One critic accused doctors of being 'greedy,' while another noted the pay is still above the UK average.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out renegotiating this year's pay deal but pledged to work with doctors on improving conditions. She described the current offer as 'fair' within the government's financial constraints, urging doctors not to jeopardise progress on reducing waiting lists.
The British Medical Association has said the strike will proceed unless it receives a proposal suitable to present to members. The NHS employs over 77,000 resident doctors, with salaries ranging from £38,831 for foundation trainees to £73,992 for those in specialist training by 2025.
