As reported by NHS Employers, the British Medical Association (BMA) has announced it will ballot its resident doctor members for potential strike action in response to ongoing concerns over pay
The BMA’s UK Resident Doctors Committee has voted to re-enter dispute following what it describes as the lack of a fair and timely pay offer from the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) for the 2025/26 financial year. The ballot is scheduled to open on 27 May and close on 7 July 2025.
In response, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: “The government has taken welcome steps to accelerate pay review decision-making for annual pay awards and has acted more broadly to enhance employment and trade union rights across the economy. It is also developing a comprehensive plan for the NHS, its patients and people.”
However, Mortimer cautioned that the decision to move toward industrial action could alarm NHS organisations already facing significant pressures:
“In this context, NHS organisations will be alarmed by the BMA’s preparations to ballot on the outcome of the DDRB process. Health leaders would urge all trade unions, including the BMA, to prioritise dialogue with the government rather than industrial action. Such dialogue would absolutely need to reflect the very real concerns of NHS workers, but also to understand, in particular, the longer-term opportunities as we all work together to improve the health of the nation.”
Be the first to comment