Senior doctors drop November strike as pay talks start

Senior hospital consultants in England have suspended a planned two-day strike scheduled for November 25 and 26. The industrial action was called off after Health Secretary Yvette Cooper agreed to begin formal negotiations with the British Medical Association. The union’s decision removes an immediate disruption to routine care in hospitals across the country.

The dispute originated from 18 months of stalled talks between the union and the government. In July, consultants voted to take action after their demands went unanswered. The BMA cites a 25 percent reduction in the real terms value of salaries since the 2009-10 period. They also requested a 10 percent cut to working hours.

Dr. Helen Neary and Dr. Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA consultants committee, stated that the union welcomes the opportunity to negotiate formally. They said strikes are unnecessary if the government engages in genuine discussions. The pair noted they received assurances that the talks would not be constrained and that they await proposals on pay and working conditions.

The Department for Health and Social Care clarified that the current negotiation mandate does not allow for a pay increase beyond the 3.5 percent rise already granted for the 2026-27 financial year. Health Secretary Cooper indicated she is not yet prepared to discuss pay directly, which remains a central demand for the consultants.

BMA officials argue that despite the recent 3.5 percent increase, consultant pay has fallen by a quarter over the past 17 years in real terms. The union stressed the need for meaningful progress on these salary cuts alongside unsustainable workloads. The committee remains prepared to strike again if a deal that recognizes the value of consultants is not reached.

Sources from the Department for Health and Social Care stated that the government cannot justify increasing pay for some of the highest earners at the expense of patient care while the country struggles with the cost of living. Consultants in England typically earn around 152,000 pounds per year when overtime and merit awards are included. This figure has risen by approximately 25,000 pounds since 2022.

Ciaran Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, called the cancellation a positive step. He previously warned that the strike would have forced hospitals to postpone operations and outpatient appointments scheduled for the final week of the month. Cooper described her talks with the BMA as constructive, noting that the decision avoids disruption and allows staff to prepare for a challenging winter.

Negotiations between the parties are due to begin next week. The BMA framed its initial proposal for strike action as a measure to ensure consultants have the time, recognition, and support needed to deliver high-quality care. The union aims to secure the future of the NHS while preventing staff from being driven to burnout.