 Consultants in England are set to strike again next month if the government continues to 'refuse to agree to pay talks', the BMA union has announced. Following their two-day strike in July, the BMA has once again written to health secretary Steve Barclay to invite him to discuss pay. But the government says they have made their final offer and won't reopen talks. The BMA also wants the doctors' pay review body to be reformed, in order to bring industrial action to an end. Consultants already plan to strike on August 24 and 25, but they say if talks aren't reopened they say they'll strike again on September 19 and 20. The September strikes will again consist of 'Christmas Day cover', which means all emergency services will remain in place. Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA consultants committee chairman said: 'It is now 133 days since the secretary of state last met with us, demonstrating the government's complete disregard for the expertise and value of consultants, and the very future of the health service and its patients. 'We are once again appealing to the health secretary to return to the table and discuss both pay and reform of the rigged pay review process, so that we can reach a point where strikes are not necessary. The BMA says pay has dropped in real terms by 35% since 2008 (Picture: EPA) 'Consultants will go out on strike at the end of this month, and for a further two days in September – demonstrating our resolve and clearly signalling to government that we're in this for the long haul. 'However, neither of these strikes need to take place at all if the government drops its intransigent position. 'The prime minister has blamed the record waiting lists in the NHS on staff taking a stand for their pay and conditions – a claim that has backfired spectacularly. 'Waiting lists were rising steadily due to the government's underfunding of the NHS and were at a record high bef){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Consultants in England are set to strike again next month if the government continues to ‘refuse to agree to pay talks’, the BMA union has announced.
Following their two-day strike in July, the BMA has once again written to health secretary Steve Barclay to invite him to discuss pay.
But the government says they have made their final offer and won’t reopen talks.
The BMA also wants the doctors’ pay review body to be reformed, in order to bring industrial action to an end.