Resident doctors in Scotland to go on strike for first time

Resident doctors in Scotland are to go on strike over a pay dispute – the first time NHS workers have gone on strike nationwide.

Their union, BMA Scotland, accused the government of failing to meet its commitment to restore wages to 2008 levels.

The vote was 92% in favor of strike action and strike dates were set from 07:00 Tuesday 13 January to 07:00 Saturday 17 January 2026.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said he was disappointed with the result, adding that he had offered to meet the Scottish BMA chairman on Monday.

BMA Scotland previously said it still believed a solution could be achieved and called on the Scottish Government to return to the negotiating table and present a “credible proposal”.

Resident doctors, formerly called junior doctors, make up almost half of Scotland's medical workforce.

They range from new doctors to doctors with up to 10 years of experience.

Mr Gray said: “Resident doctors in Scotland received a 4.25% pay rise this year – as part of a two-year deal – just as nurses and other NHS staff agreed.”

“This means that by 2027 we will achieve a cumulative wage increase of 35% over four years.

“Our top priority for our patients and staff is reducing waiting times, access to the NHS and positive outcomes. Strikes will jeopardize all this progress.”

Scotland was the only part of the UK to avoid a strike by NHS workers.

With 5,185 Scottish resident doctors eligible to vote, the turnout was 58% out of a total of 3,008 votes cast.

Strike in summer 2023. was canceled at the last minute after the deal was agreed upon.

As part of this, BMA Scotland said the government was committed to making “credible progress” in restoring wages to 2008 levels in each of the next three financial years.

Series of strikes resident doctors in England led to the cancellation of thousands of surgeries and procedures.

The ongoing five-day strike is causing further unrest and has been described as “dangerous and completely irresponsible” Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Any strike in Scotland would be a major blow to the Scottish Government's pledge to end long waits for procedures and appointments by March 2026 and would put further pressure on the overstretched NHS in an election year.

Dr Chris Smith, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said: “The results of this vote show that resident doctors in Scotland are united in their anger that the Scottish Government has reneged on the pay deal they agreed to just two years ago.

“This is not where we wanted to be. However, we have made it clear that the government cannot brazenly renege on its responsibilities without expecting to be held to account.”

“Instead of negotiating with resident doctors to make real progress on pay restoration, as they agreed, they have introduced a pay rise that is the lowest average pay received by resident doctors anywhere in the UK.”

He said the deal the Scottish Government agreed to in 2023 was the only reason strikes were avoided.

“It has helped doctors and the health service,” he said. “By turning its back on this deal, the Scottish Government is fueling the dispute and deliberately exposing Scotland’s National Health Service to the risk of disruptive industrial action.”

Dr Smith said there was still time to avoid strikes.

“BMA Scotland's resident doctors remain committed to the deal even if it is fully respected,” he said.

“If we don't take a stand now, when the government has reneged on its commitments in good faith, they will take this as a license to do it again and again, including on issues such as contract negotiations and increasing the number of resident doctor training jobs as part of future health workforce planning.

“This is important not only for doctors, but also for patients and for the future of the entire NHS in Scotland, which relies on today's resident doctors to stay here and become the GPs, specialist doctors and consultants of tomorrow.”

The Scottish Government's two-year proposal included increases of 4.25% in 2025/26 and 3.75% in 26/27.

It is the same offer that nurses, paramedics and other NHS workers accepted earlier this year.

BMA Scotland said this would be the lowest figure in the UK and less than what the independent pay review body had recommended.

The current offer will be seen basic salary for a newly qualified doctor will increase from £34,500 to £37,345 in 2026/27, and for a doctor with 10 years' experience will increase from £71,549 to £77,387.

Medical professionals are often expected to work night shifts, weekends, or longer, for which they receive additional pay.