Junior Doctors Announce Five-Day Strike Before Election
Junior doctors in England, represented by the British Medical Association, will stage a five-day strike beginning on 27 June, demanding a 35% pay rise. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggested the strike's timing appears political. The strike, the 11th since March 2023, will disrupt elective services, causing widespread impact on the NHS.
Junior doctors in England, represented by the British Medical Association (BMA), will stage a five-day strike from 07:00 BST on 27 June, leading up to the election day in their ongoing pay dispute with the government.
The BMA is seeking a 35% pay rise to compensate for 15 years of below-inflation increases.
Negotiations began in mid-May, but no credible new offer emerged.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized the timing, suggesting it appears politically motivated.
Junior doctors, who make up nearly half of the NHS doctor workforce, have held 10 previous walkouts since March 2023.
The strike will disrupt elective services as senior doctors are drafted to cover.
The strikes have resulted in the cancellation of nearly 1.5 million appointments and operations in England, costing an estimated £3 billion.
While doctors in Northern Ireland and Wales are also involved in strike actions, those in Scotland accepted a pay offer.
The government has not presented a new deal, leaving junior doctors frustrated.
The BMA is seeking a 35% pay rise to compensate for 15 years of below-inflation increases.
Negotiations began in mid-May, but no credible new offer emerged.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized the timing, suggesting it appears politically motivated.
Junior doctors, who make up nearly half of the NHS doctor workforce, have held 10 previous walkouts since March 2023.
The strike will disrupt elective services as senior doctors are drafted to cover.
The strikes have resulted in the cancellation of nearly 1.5 million appointments and operations in England, costing an estimated £3 billion.
While doctors in Northern Ireland and Wales are also involved in strike actions, those in Scotland accepted a pay offer.
The government has not presented a new deal, leaving junior doctors frustrated.