Wes Streeting plans to reopen discussions with medical professionals this week in a bid to prevent further NHS strikes.
The Health Secretary is set to return to the negotiation table in an escalating conflict with representatives from the British Medical Association, who recently led resident doctors in a five-day strike just before the Christmas period. The union is advocating for improved salaries and more training opportunities for young doctors to address the bottleneck issue that hinders some from securing NHS positions.
Expressing his stance, Mr. Streeting emphasized that ongoing industrial action is not beneficial for resident doctors, the government, patients, or other healthcare staff. He highlighted a temporary pause in strike actions and mentioned ongoing talks to reach a resolution with the BMA.
Resident doctors, up to the consultant level, are represented by the BMA and are currently engaged in a heated exchange with Mr. Streeting. The Health Secretary confirmed a forthcoming meeting with the chair of the BMA’s Resident Doctors Committee.
The BMA is pushing for a 26% pay raise over the following years, citing a decline in real wages since 2008 based on the Retail Price Index. However, the Government’s preferred inflation measure, the Consumer Price Index, indicates a 5% drop in average resident doctor salaries since 2008.
Although resident doctors have seen pay increases in recent years, particularly under the Labour administration, a dispute has arisen over the 5.4% pay raise allocated for 2025/26. A proposal by Mr. Streeting to create additional NHS training positions for doctors was turned down in a recent ballot, reflecting dissatisfaction with his approach towards the BMA leadership.
In response to accusations from Mr. Streeting regarding salary funding, Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, disputed claims of a severe flu surge and the associated risks to hospitals. He clarified that while the flu season commenced early, the situation is not as dire as depicted by the Health Secretary.
Mr. Streeting’s latest statement comes after the NHS in England reported that 95% of pre-planned care proceeded during the recent strike period. Highlighting the financial and operational costs of strikes, Mr. Streeting emphasized the challenges faced by the NHS, especially during peak winter pressures.
Dr. Fletcher welcomed Mr. Streeting’s willingness to engage in dialogue and emphasized the importance of resolving the dispute for the benefit of doctors and patients. He urged the government to propose concrete solutions to the job crisis and commit to restoring the profession’s value, emphasizing the need for new job opportunities and a halt to proposed pay cuts.
Looking ahead, Dr. Fletcher expressed hope that the government would learn from past mistakes to avoid future strikes, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.