LONDON — Britain’s government reached an agreement with senior doctors in England, potentially putting an end to a series of disruptive strikes, officials stated Monday.
The Department of Health and Social Care submitted a pay offer to doctors’ unions after weeks of discussions, and union leaders agreed to present the proposal to their members for a vote.
Health officials highlighted that the breakthrough is a significant relief, although outcomes from the union votes won’t be revealed until January.
The British Medical Association indicated that the government’s offer means senior doctors will begin to receive additional income next year, in addition to a 6% pay raise already awarded for 2023 to 2024. The doctors’ union mentioned that the government is investing 4.95% more in salaries for senior doctors, but the amount each doctor will receive depends on their contracts.
Earlier this year, thousands of senior physicians went on strike for 48-hour periods to demand better pay and working conditions from the government, resulting in major disruptions at hospitals across England.
These strikes occurred alongside similar industrial actions by junior doctors, nurses, and other health workers who organized their own strikes to secure pay raises amid the U.K.’s soaring inflation and cost-of-living crisis.
Senior doctors stated that their pay has decreased by a third in real terms over the past 14 years.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the new offer as a “fair deal” for senior doctors and deemed it good news for patients.
This year’s strike actions have added further strain to Britain’s under-funded and under-staffed National Health Service, leading to the postponement of over 1 million hospital appointments. The disruption also incurred approximately $1.8 billion in lost income and staff coverage for the NHS, according to health executives.
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, expressed that the progress in pay negotiations is encouraging, particularly with the surge in demand for hospital care expected during winter.
“This agreement is a critical first step, and we now need all parties to continue to work together to find a solution to remaining pay disputes as soon as possible,” she commented.
Government officials had previously reached pay agreements with nurses and other health workers, but they are still in talks with doctors in the early stages of their careers regarding pay.
