Industrial Action: NHS senior doctors and the government reach a pay deal

Several strikes by senior doctors have been held over the past year which has put pressure on the NHS as it tries to tackle existing financial constraints and the backlogs caused by COVID.

The British Medical Association trade union which represents senior doctors, also known as consultants, said that approximately 83% of doctors were in favour of this offer. The agreement includes a 2.85% pay rise for those who have been consultants between four and seven years. The government also says that the new offer will address the gender pay gap in medicine.

Our CEO, Louise Ansari, said: 

"We welcome the news that the government and senior NHS doctors have agreed to settle their pay dispute. This move will be good news for patients, particularly those who have been waiting the longest for treatment. 

"It’s now more imperative than ever that people get support to manage their condition or pain levels while they’re waiting for delayed operations or appointments and that they receive proactive communication about when they will finally be seen as they wait for care. We also wish to see more frequent use of single points of contact, either in person, over the phone, or via the NHS app, so patients waiting for care can give feedback about issues or changes in their condition."