NHS Employers responds to ballot launch for industrial action by the BMA’s resident doctors’ committee

Commenting on the ballot for industrial action launched by the BMA’s resident doctors’ committee today, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said:

“Health leaders understand the concerns of all their staff regarding their earnings and cost of living pressures. They want to see long-term plans which invest in and properly reward all members of the health team, including doctors. They also recognise the actions that must be taken by them to improve the educational and working lives of resident doctors.  

“In this context they welcomed the steps taken last year to resolve the last dispute between resident doctors and the government. They note that the government has gone on to make a further pay award this year which is again higher than elsewhere in the public sector. Many will struggle to understand how threatening strikes which would again harm patient care is a proportionate reaction to successive annual pay awards that average 8 per cent and 5 to 6 per cent. It will only be through dialogue about longer term plans for the NHS and its workforce that the concerns of resident doctors can be addressed, and their aspirations met.”