NHS strikes: Consultants finally accept pay rise after year of disruption – but junior docs still at war
SENIOR doctor strikes are over after they voted to accept ministers' pay deal.
The new contract will see NHS consultants pay start at £99,000 rather than £94,000 and top out at £132,000 instead of £126,000.
Some 83 per cent of British Medical Association medics voted in favour of the offer, which will be applied in the coming months and backdated to March.
Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA consultants committee chair, said: "We’ve reached this point not just through our tough negotiations with the Government, but thanks to the resolve of consultants.
"We took the difficult decision to strike, and did so safely and effectively, on multiple occasions, sending a clear message that they would not back down.
“But the fight is not yet over.
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“Consultants have shown they are not afraid to act when they need to, and ministers, present or future, should be warned that we expect to be treated fairly.”
It leaves junior doctors and specialist doctors as the only medics still embroiled in a pay row with Whitehall.
Last month, they voted to drag out strike misery until at least September 19 unless they are given a “credible offer on pay”.
Nearly 1.5million NHS appointments have been delayed since strikes first began last year.
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The walkouts are expected to cost the health service an estimated £3billion.
Reacting to the consultants' deal being accepted, Sir Julian Hartley, of NHS Providers, said: "This is welcome news for trust leaders.
"We aren’t out of the woods yet, however, with junior doctors having voted for more strikes and industrial action while other specialty and specialist doctors have rejected a government pay offer.
“Hugely disruptive and costly strikes in the NHS can’t become ‘business as usual’. Remaining concerns must be resolved. Industrial action takes a toll on patients, staff and stretched services.
“We urge politicians and unions to find a way to end all disputes."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "The end of consultant strike action in the NHS is excellent news for patients.
This is a fair deal for consultants, patients, and taxpayers
Victoria Atkins
"It will mean we can continue making progress towards our goal of cutting the waiting lists, which have now fallen for the fourth month in a row.
"Consultants perform a vital role at the heart of the NHS - I'm pleased they've accepted this deal, which is fair for them and fair for the taxpayer."
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said: "I hugely value the work of NHS consultants and I am pleased that, after weeks of negotiations, they have accepted this fair and reasonable offer, putting an end to the threat of further strike action.
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"Consultants will now be able to focus on providing the highest quality care for patients and we can consolidate our progress on waiting lists - which have fallen for the past four months.
"This deal directly addresses gender pay issues in the NHS and enhances consultants' parental leave options - representing a fair deal for consultants, patients, and taxpayers."