Resident doctors set to strike next week after rejecting Government offer

Resident doctors in England have rejected a fresh offer from the Government to end the long-running row over jobs and pay, saying that it “does not go far enough”.

The medics, formerly known as junior doctors, are set to strike for five days from Friday next week in an ongoing row over jobs and pay.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said resident doctors will walk out from 7am on November 14 to 7am on November 19.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting wrote to resident doctors on Wednesday setting out the Government’s offer, which includes more specialty training places and covering the costs of mandatory exams and membership fees.

Mr Streeting has previously said the Government will not budge on pay.

In a letter to resident doctors in England, he said: “I must underline that the enormous financial pressures facing the country mean I am not able to go further on pay.

“We cannot afford to do more at this time and no amount of strike action will change this.”

Dr Jack Fletcher, the BMA’s resident doctors committee (RDC) chairman, said in a statement: “This does not go far enough.

“Even with this offer, thousands of doctors would still be unable to find a job – 30,000 doctors applied for 10,000 places this year – 1,000 more is not going to fix this crisis, nor come anywhere near doing so.

“Whatever else is true of this offer, Mr Streeting is still not facing up to the gravity of the situation: doctors facing unemployment while patients can’t see a doctor.

“We have also been clear with Government that they can call off strikes for years if they’re willing to offer a multi-year pay deal that restores pay over time.

“Sadly, even after promising a journey to fair pay, Mr Streeting is still unwilling to move. In fact, he has just suggested another real-terms pay cut.

“Strikes can still be avoided but first there will need willingness to offer a pay deal and a genuine solution on jobs.”

Mr Streeting said the rejection of the offer was a “missed opportunity”.

He added: “My door will always be open if the BMA wants to reconsider my offer, but my focus now, along with that of the entire NHS leadership, must be on minimising the impact these damaging strikes will have on patients.

“To NHS leaders and NHS staff, I want to thank you in advance for all of the work you’ll be doing to keep the show on the road for patients.

“And to patients across the country, I and the NHS will do everything we can to minimise the disruption and the impact it will have on your care.”