Resident doctors in England have voted to accept a government offer on pay and jobs, officially ending three years of strike action. The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed the acceptance of the deal, which addresses concerns over compensation, career progression, and additional expenses.
The accepted offer includes a 3.5% pay rise for the current year, as recommended by an independent review body. Doctors will also receive backdated pay to April 1, 2026, amounting to an average increase of 4.9% under the broader package. Further pay increases are slated, with an average rise of 6.6% expected by April 2027, and additional increments to follow.
Under the new terms, starting salaries for resident doctors will exceed £40,000. The most senior resident doctors can expect a basic pay of £76,500, with the potential to earn thousands more annually through allowances for unsociable hours and extra duties. The agreement also promises 4,500 additional training positions for newly qualified doctors and will cover doctors' exam fees.
Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctors committee, stated that the strikes were not necessary and that a solution was attainable earlier. He emphasized that the agreement secures more jobs for doctors, better pay, and contributes to a better-staffed National Health Service (NHS) for the future.
The industrial action had a significant impact on patient care, leading to hundreds of thousands of appointments being canceled over the past few years. The referendum saw 53% of eligible BMA members vote in favor of accepting the deal, with a turnout of 57% representing 32,932 doctors.