Resident doctors cancel strike after new offer from government

Resident doctors in England have canceled scheduled strikes after the government presented a last-minute offer, averting further industrial action.

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It is a positive and welcome development - especially for patients - that the BMA have called off these unnecessary strikes.

The British Medical Association (BMA) announced the cancellation of the walkouts, which were set to begin Monday and run through Friday. The union will now present the government's new offer, which reportedly addresses jobs, pay, and career progression, to its members for a vote.

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The country simply cannot afford to increase the pay offer for this year.

Health Secretary James Murray expressed his satisfaction with the development, calling it a "positive and welcome development - especially for patients." He stated that the country cannot afford to increase the pay offer for the current year but acknowledged progress made in other areas such as training and working conditions. Murray emphasized that the new offer is a "good deal for resident doctors."

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We have always been clear that no strikes needed to go ahead if we received an offer appropriate to put to our members.

Dr. Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, affirmed that strikes were always avoidable if an appropriate offer was made. He noted that while the resolution came at the last moment, the BMA is upholding its commitment now that the government has shifted its position. Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, have seen their pay increase by 33% over the past four years, with starting salaries now exceeding £40,000. However, the BMA argues that, when adjusted for inflation, their pay is still 20% lower than in 2008.

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This should not have been left to the last moment, but we hold up our end of the bargain when the government shifts its position.