First-Year Doctors in England Vote in Favor of Strike Action
(MENAFN) An overwhelming number of first-year doctors in England have backed strike action, driven by concerns over job security and a significant shortage of specialty training opportunities. The British Medical Association (BMA) revealed Monday that 97% of foundation year one doctors who voted supported the industrial action, highlighting deepening frustration within the medical community. With a 65% voter turnout, the result underscores the growing discontent as over 30,000 doctors vie for just 10,000 specialty training positions in 2025.
The strike vote adds to the pressure from an ongoing dispute between the BMA and the government over pay restoration. According to a recent BMA survey of over 4,000 resident doctors, 34% reported having no stable employment or regular work since August this year, further highlighting the insecurity plaguing the profession.
Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s Resident Doctors’ Committee (RDC), emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the vote represents a unified stance against the widespread uncertainty. “Doctors have spoken clearly: they won’t accept that they face a career of insecurity at a time when the demand for doctors is huge,” he remarked. “We do not want to have to strike, but we will if we are left with no choice. The government has the power to end both of these disputes now. It must use this opportunity to make the changes that are desperately needed.”
Fletcher highlighted that the shortfall of specialty training positions has worsened, with the number of available slots failing to meet the growing demand. Despite a critical shortage of healthcare staff within the National Health Service (NHS), this year alone, 30,000 doctors applied for just 10,000 training positions in the first round.
While the government has acknowledged the workforce deficit, the BMA pointed out that its proposed 10-year NHS plan only includes a modest increase of 1,000 additional training places over three years.
The ongoing dispute over job security is closely tied to the BMA’s battle over pay, with resident doctors seeing a 21% real-terms pay cut since 2008. Fletcher argued that addressing both issues simultaneously would not only help stabilize the workforce but also contribute to better patient care within the NHS.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
