Consultant Doctors in England to Strike Over Pay and Working Conditions

Consultant doctors in England will begin a two-day strike on November 25th at 06:59 GMT, providing only emergency cover, in a dispute over pay and working conditions. The British Medical Association (BMA) announced the strike after 76% of participating consultants voted in favor of action, with a turnout of just over 50%. The BMA argues that consultant pay has fallen by a quarter in real terms over the past 17 years, despite receiving a 3.5% pay increase this year. Consultants, the most senior doctors in the NHS, earn a basic salary starting at £113,500 a year, rising to £150,500 for the most experienced, with average earnings exceeding £150,000 when additional payments are included.

Dr. Helen Neary and Dr. Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA consultants committee, stated they engaged in negotiations with the government “in good faith” but that ministers repeatedly delayed addressing their concerns. They emphasized the profession’s frustration, stating that striking was a last resort. The BMA contends that resolving pressures on the health service is impossible without valuing and retaining consultants, and that the government is failing to address their wellbeing, workload, and the stalling progress on waiting lists.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed disappointment with the strike announcement, noting that the government had been in “constructive discussions” with the BMA. She characterized the strike action as “irresponsible” and likely to increase pressure on the health service. The consultants previously went on strike in 2023 and have been in dispute with the government for over a year. The government has four weeks to address the BMA’s concerns and potentially avert the strike.

Background

• Consultants are the most senior doctors within the National Health Service (NHS) [background knowledge].
• The British Medical Association (BMA) represents doctors in the UK and has previously engaged in industrial action over pay and working conditions, as evidenced by a deal reached with resident doctors in June 2026 [Fact Refinery, 2026-06-29].
• Consultants previously went on strike in 2023, indicating a pre-existing and ongoing dispute with the government [article text].
• The BMA secured a 6.6% pay uplift for resident doctors in June 2026 following negotiations with the government [Fact Refinery, 2026-06-14].
• Consultant pay has decreased by 25% in real terms over the last 17 years, despite a 3.5% increase this year [article text].

Our reading

Our reading is that despite recent pay increases, consultant doctors feel significantly undervalued, leading to a breakdown in negotiations with the government. The BMA’s decision to strike, even with the provision of emergency cover, signals a deep level of frustration and a belief that the current situation is unsustainable. The government’s characterization of the strike as irresponsible appears to downplay the length of the dispute and the BMA’s stated efforts at good-faith negotiation.

What to watch

• The outcome of negotiations between the government and the BMA within the next four weeks, specifically whether a revised offer is presented and accepted [article text].
• The impact of the two-day strike on waiting lists and emergency service capacity, as reported by the NHS [NHS official reports].
• Any indication of support for the striking consultants from other healthcare unions or professional bodies [BMA and other union statements].

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