Hospital consultants are preparing to join resident doctors in a strike over pay, potentially causing significant disruption to the NHS. This move comes as resident doctors, who have already embarked on a strike, adopt a more aggressive stance to push for their 26% pay claim. They plan to strike monthly, intensifying pressure on the government. If granted a new legal mandate, resident doctors will stage a walkout every month in 2026, following their 11 strikes in 15 months between March 2023 and June 2024. This latest strike, starting at 7 am on Friday and ending at 7 am on Wednesday, November 19, will involve thousands of resident doctors. Meanwhile, consultants are also demanding more than the 4% rise imposed for 2025/26, seeking a 5.5% increase in salaries this year. The British Medical Association's consultants committee is frustrated by the lack of progress and has set a deadline of December 31 for a deal. If an agreement is not reached, they plan to hold a ballot for industrial action in January and potentially start striking soon after, achieving the required 50% turnout and agreement. Strikes by both main groups of medics in England during the first half of 2026 would disrupt the government's goal of reducing treatment delays. NHS leaders warn that consultant strikes would be challenging for an already strained health service, especially during the winter. The BMA's resident doctors committee has almost unanimously backed the switch to monthly strikes, which may include longer walkouts. The BMA's ruling council has approved a re-ballot for its 60,000 resident members, allowing them to strike as often as they decide for six months. However, consultants are unlikely to strike, as the DHSC notes that the majority of consultants are not prepared to do so. The BMA emphasizes that all doctors, not just residents, deserve pay restoration. The strikes since 2022 have already rescheduled over 1.7 million outpatient appointments and operations, causing significant disruption. This situation is concerning for patients already facing long waiting lists and deteriorating care. A double strike by doctors would be a setback for the health secretary, who has criticized the union's demands, accusing them of acting like a cartel and pushing unreasonable requests. The secretary's promise to ensure patients receive planned hospital treatment within 18 weeks by 2029 may be undermined by further strikes.
