Consultant Doctors Announce November Strike Over Pay
Senior hospital doctors in England will strike for two days in November over pay and conditions, after talks with the government stalled.
Consultant doctors in England will stage a two-day strike beginning 25 November in a dispute over pay and working conditions. The British Medical Association's consultants committee confirmed the walkout after pay talks with the government failed to produce a resolution, following a vote in favour of industrial action by members in July.
In a joint statement, BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said they had negotiated in good faith for over 18 months. Dr Helen Neary said: "Unfortunately, that road has now run out, and we have been forced to announce strikes." The government now has four weeks to avoid the action taking place. This will be the first time consultants in England have taken industrial action since 2023.
Pay erosion and workload concerns
Consultants' pay has fallen by a quarter in real terms over the past 17 years, a steeper decline than the rest of the economy. The BMA argues this erosion, combined with excessive workloads and target-chasing, is driving widespread burnout and making it impossible to retain expert clinicians. The union also seeks a reduction in the standard working week from 40 to 35 hours, higher pay for out-of-hours work, and greater pension flexibility.
While average earnings for consultants top £150,000, the union stresses that basic pay starts at £113,500. The government offered a 3.5% pay increase this year and has recommended a 2.4% rise for 2027/28, which unions have branded 'derisory'.
| Pay Element | Figure |
|---|---|
| Real-terms pay fall over 17 years | 25% |
| Basic starting salary | £113,500 |
| Salary for most experienced | £150,500 |
| Current year pay increase | 3.5% |
| Proposed future increase (2027/28) | 2.4% |
Emergency cover and patient impact
During the strike, consultants will provide only emergency care, a level known as Christmas Day cover. This is likely to have a major impact on most routine, elective, and planned services. Patients waiting for routine and specialist care are expected to bear the consequences, with appointments disrupted and treatment delayed. The action risks adding further strain and cost to an already stretched NHS.
Government response and next steps
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper described the timing of the strike announcement as disappointing, stating constructive discussions had been taking place. She said taking strike action would be irresponsible and place the health service under even greater pressure, adding that the government is working with NHS staff to prepare for winter. The government has also noted that in the strike ballot, 76% of voting consultants backed action, but this represented only around one in five consultants employed by the NHS in England.
The dispute has been running since May 2025. The BMA accuses the government of ignoring concerns around wellbeing and workload, and argues that solving pressures facing the health service is impossible without valuing consultants. Measures discussed to reduce burnout have included more protected time for innovation and teaching, but progress has been deemed inadequate. The strikes will take place on 25 and 26 November unless the health secretary takes meaningful steps to avoid them.
