BMA pauses England consultants’ strike for government talks

The British Medical Association has paused a planned two-day strike by consultant doctors in England after agreeing with the government to enter formal negotiations on pay and working conditions. The walkout had been scheduled for November 25 and 26; the union said its consultants committee made the decision after meetings with Health Secretary Yvette Cooper.

The pause moves the dispute into formal talks, but the parties have not announced an agreement on the issues behind the planned action. The BMA says consultants’ pay has fallen by about 25% in real terms over roughly 17 years and is seeking progress on pay and working conditions. The government has said additional consultant pay increases are not available in the current financial year.

The union’s committee co-chairs, Dr. Helen Neary and Dr. Shanu Datta, said the BMA had received assurances that negotiations would not be limited to particular subjects and that it expected proposals on both pay and working conditions. The BMA said it would consider further industrial action if talks fail to make progress on the dispute’s central issues.

Cooper welcomed the pause and said she had discussed reforms concerning consultants’...