A new wave of BMA strikes has been announced as the ongoing resident doctors strike intensifies across England. The latest doctors strike comes after negotiations between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government broke down, raising fresh concerns over NHS disruption.
The BMA strike is set to begin at 07:00 BST on 7 April, immediately after the Easter bank holiday weekend, and will last for six days — making it one of the longest actions in the current dispute.
Why Is the Resident Doctors Strike Happening?
The resident doctors strike centres on long-standing concerns about pay, working conditions and job availability. The BMA has argued that doctors have faced years of real-terms pay cuts, and the latest offer has done little to address this.
The government accepted a 3.5% pay rise recommendation from an independent pay review body. However, BMA representatives have described the offer as inadequate, warning it could lead to further financial pressure as inflation continues to rise.
With the doctors strike ongoing since March 2023, tensions have continued to build between the union and government officials.
What the Government Offered
As part of the latest BMA strike negotiations, the government proposed a package that included:
- Covering certain out-of-pocket costs, such as exam fees
- Increasing the number of training posts to tackle job shortages
- Allowing faster progression through pay bands
Currently, resident doctors earn between £39,000 and £74,000, depending on experience and training level.
Despite these measures, the BMA says the proposals do not go far enough to resolve the issues driving the resident doctors strike.
BMA Response to the Doctors Strike Dispute
The BMA has maintained that it has been negotiating in good faith throughout the process. However, union representatives say they cannot support a deal that risks long-term pay erosion.
There are also growing concerns that continued dissatisfaction could push more doctors to leave the UK for better opportunities abroad — a key issue behind the ongoing BMA strikes.
Government Reaction
Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the decision to continue the doctors strike, stating that the union’s demands are “beyond reasonable and realistic.”
He added that the government had already put forward a comprehensive and fair package aimed at improving working conditions and career progression for resident doctors.
Impact of the BMA Strikes on NHS Services
The latest resident doctors strike is expected to place significant strain on NHS services, with potential delays to appointments, treatments and procedures.
This doctors strike marks the 15th round of industrial action since March 2023, highlighting the scale and persistence of the dispute.
Patients are likely to experience disruption, particularly during the extended six-day strike period.
What Happens Next?
With both sides holding firm, the future of the BMA strike dispute remains uncertain. Unless further negotiations take place, additional BMA strikes and continued doctors strike action could follow.
The situation underlines wider challenges facing the NHS, including staffing shortages, rising costs and ongoing pressure on healthcare workers.