A five-day strike by doctors in England will continue this week after members of the British Medical Association voted to continue their planned strike despite a new government proposal.
The strike by resident doctors (the new name for junior doctors) is due to begin on Wednesday at 07:00. Ministers warn patients will be put at risk as hospitals battle a wave of flu under enormous pressure.
Some 83% voted to continue the strike in an online poll taken over the weekend.
The BMA agreed to the snap survey last week after the government came up with a new deal that included increasing the number of specialist training posts and covering out-of-pocket costs such as exam fees.
But it did not include any promises on pay – with Health Minister Wes Streeting saying he would not negotiate on the issue after resident doctors' pay was increased by almost 30% over the past three years.
The union claims that despite the pay rise, resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than in 2008 when inflation is taken into account.
It will be the 14th blow in the long-running dispute that began in March 2023.
Resident physicians, who make up nearly half the medical staff, will refuse both urgent and non-urgent care. Senior doctors will be brought in to provide cover.
Last week Streeting warned that the NHS was under the greatest pressure since Covid.
Data showed the number of flu patients in hospitals rose more than 50% in a week, topping 2,600 in the first week of December, with officials warning there was no sign yet that it would peak.
The flu has arrived early this winter, and it looks like it's going to be a particularly nasty season.
The circulating strain is H3N2, which tends to cause more severe illness, and it has mutated somewhat due to concerns that people may have weakened immunity.
BMA resident doctor Dr Jack Fletcher said the “resounding response” should leave the health secretary in no doubt about how badly he had just missed an opportunity to end the strike.
“Tens of thousands of frontline doctors have come together to say no to what is clearly too little, too late,” he added.
He said any decision must address pay.
But he added that the union is “committed to patient safety” and will be in close contact with NHS England throughout the strike to address issues as they arise.
Rory Deighton, from the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals, said: “It is bitterly disappointing that the BMA has rejected this proposal and decided to continue with the disruptive strikes.
“These strikes come at the worst possible time, as rapidly rising flu levels are putting enormous strain on hospitals.”
