Following the result of the BMA ballot of consultants, hospital doctors’ union the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) has urged the government to seize the current window of opportunity and reach a deal for senior doctors.

HCSA President Dr Naru Narayanan said:

“Strikes by senior doctors have long been unthinkable, and the fact they are now on the cards is absolutely unprecedented.

”The government is drinking in the last chance saloon. It has a golden opportunity now to thrash out a deal and reduce current high levels of discontent. It’s also in patients’ interests that it does so, because the NHS needs to remain competitive to be able to retain the experienced doctors it has and continue to attract those we need in future.

”This tense situation is not just going to go away by itself. You can’t cut senior doctors’ salaries by over 30 percent and not expect that to have an impact, whether that be expressed in growing support for strike action or individuals simply choosing to pack up and retire. The government must now sit down with the recognised unions and reach a deal.”

ENDS