Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“I hugely value the work of NHS consultants and I am disappointed
that after weeks of constructive negotiations the BMA has, by the
narrowest of margins, rejected this fair and reasonable offer.
“I want to build on our progress on waiting lists and for us all
to be able to focus our efforts on offering patients the highest
quality care. The Government is therefore carefully considering
next steps.
“We already know the kind of progress our NHS staff can make in
the absence of strikes – waiting lists fell by more than 95,000
in November, the first month without industrial action for over a
year and the biggest decrease since December 2010 outside of the
pandemic.”
Background
- Strikes have already had a huge impact on patients - with
more than 1.3 million appointments now rescheduled due to
industrial action since December 2022 and more than 100,000 in
January.
NHS Providers
responds to outcome of BMA consultants’ pay
ballot
“Trust leaders will understandably feel dismayed by this outcome.
“They had hoped the dispute between the government and senior
doctors would be resolved but today’s narrow vote makes clear
that a range of concerns still need to be addressed.
“It is reassuring that the BMA consultants committee will now
seek further talks with the government to resolve outstanding
concerns. All parties need to ensure that hard won progress
towards an agreement is not lost.
“But the spectre of further strike action continues to loom large
over the health service should talks fail.
“These concerns will be amplified following this week’s
announcement that junior doctors will be re-balloted on strike
action and action short of strikes.
“Politicians and unions must find a way to end all disputes.
“More than 1.4million appointments have already been delayed due
to industrial action since December 2022, with many thousands
more patients having had their care and lives disrupted.
“For the sake of patients, these figures can’t be allowed to keep
climbing.
“Trusts and their staff are paying a high price too. Leaders are
having to deal with the fall-out from national disputes beyond
their control while staff morale suffers hit after hit. The
division exposed in today’s vote amongst consultants will also
take time to heal.
“We urgently need a resolution.”
