Resident doctors in the United Kingdom have suspended planned strike action to consider a new pay offer from the government. The walkout, which was scheduled to last from Monday morning to Friday morning, has been called off following the late development.
Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctor committee, stated that the offer addresses demands for sufficient jobs to combat doctor unemployment and steps to counter pay erosion. He added that tens of thousands of frontline doctors will now vote in a referendum on whether the offer is sufficient. "If they say no to this offer we will have to continue our plans for further escalated action across next month," Fletcher cautioned.
Health Secretary James Murray welcomed the pause, describing the offer as a "chance to draw a line under the damaging disputes of recent years." He noted that the country cannot afford to increase the pay offer for the current year but expressed pleasure that the BMA recognized this, allowing progress in other areas such as training places and working conditions. The planned strike would have been the 16th in the ongoing dispute over pay.
NHS trusts, including Cheltenham General Hospital, had prepared for the disruption. While the cancellation means some services will still face unavoidable disruptions, efforts are underway to restore them. Patients are advised to attend appointments as scheduled unless directly contacted otherwise.