Resident doctors in England have announced plans to resume negotiations with Health Secretary Wes Streeting following the conclusion of a five-day strike that ended on December 11, 2023. The British Medical Association (BMA) urged Streeting to approach discussions with a constructive mindset to prevent further industrial action in the new year.
The recent strike reflected ongoing frustrations among doctors regarding pay and working conditions. In a statement, Streeting expressed his desire to avoid any future strikes, emphasizing that he “does not want to see a single day of industrial action in the NHS in 2026.” He pledged to take all necessary steps to make this a reality, stating, “My door remains open, as it always has done.”
Despite this conciliatory tone, Streeting and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, have maintained a firm stance against the strike, with Starmer labeling the situation “beyond belief” given the NHS’s current challenges exacerbated by flu season. Incoming Unison general secretary Andrea Egan criticized Streeting’s remark that the strike was “morally reprehensible,” highlighting tensions between government officials and medical representatives.
Negotiations between the government and the BMA have faced significant hurdles. Streeting has been reluctant to revisit pay discussions, while doctors have called for “pay restoration” to 2008 levels in real terms. Instead, the Health Secretary proposed creating additional training positions to alleviate the backlog of newly qualified doctors unable to secure employment, an offer the BMA rejected. This led to the strike commencing on December 6, 2023.
Jack Fletcher, chair of the resident doctors committee, emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution to the job crisis, advocating for new positions and a multi-year approach to restore doctors’ pay. He stated, “Doctors are frustrated by the year that has just passed. There have been plenty of opportunities for strike action to have been avoided, but all too often the government has moved too little and too late.”
As discussions are set to resume, Fletcher noted a positive shift in the tone of recent conversations. He expressed cautious optimism that the government is beginning to recognize the grievances of resident doctors. “We are going into the new year with a renewed can-do spirit, and we hope Mr. Streeting will do the same,” he remarked.
Addressing the impact of the strike, Streeting acknowledged the NHS’s struggles during the busy flu season. He stated that the combination of strike action and increased illness posed the most severe threat to the NHS since the last election. “The health service has only been able to cope because of the extraordinary efforts of the dedicated staff who work in it,” he added, thanking those who have maintained services throughout this challenging period.
With both sides signaling a willingness to engage, the outcome of the upcoming talks could have significant implications for the future of healthcare in England and the well-being of its medical professionals.
