NHS consultants announce two-day strike for November 25-26

The British Medical Association has announced that consultants in England will strike for two days on November 25 and 26, providing emergency cover only, unless talks avert the action. The union said 76% of consultants who voted backed strike action, with turnout just above 50%. The planned walkout concerns pay and working conditions and would be the first consultants’ strike in England since 2023. The BMA said routine services could be affected, while emergency cover would continue. The union says consultants’ pay has fallen by a quarter in real terms over 17 years, despite a 3.5% increase this year. The government has said average annual earnings for NHS consultants in England exceed £152,000. The BMA is also seeking discussions about pensions, workload and staff wellbeing. The government proposed a 2.4% pay rise for doctors in England for 2027-28 in a submission to the independent pay review body. The BMA described that proposal as a significant real-terms pay cut. The proposal is separate from the 3.5% increase consultants received this year. The BMA says ministers have repeatedly delayed meaningful progress and failed to respond to calls for formal negotiations. Health...