Summary
The Prime Minister has given the British Medical Association (BMA) 48 hours to stop a planned six-day doctor strike in England, or 1,000 extra medical training positions could be lost. The strike was announced after doctors were offered a 3.5% pay rise, which the BMA finds insufficient. Talks to improve terms have been ongoing, but disagreements over pay and training opportunities remain.
Key Facts
- The Prime Minister gave the BMA a 48-hour deadline to cancel the strike.
- The proposed six-day strike is set to begin after Easter.
- Doctors were offered a 3.5% pay rise, but the BMA rejected it.
- The BMA states inflation has outpaced doctor pay rises since 2008.
- The government offered 1,000 extra medical training positions as part of a larger plan.
- Talks between the BMA and the government have been taking place over the past year.
- In the last three years, doctors received nearly 30% in pay increases.
- Resident doctors play a significant role in the NHS, with many being BMA members.
