\n<\/p>\n
In a joint statement, BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, said they had tried to negotiate with the government in “good faith”, but “time-and-time again ministers have kicked the can down the road”. <\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, that road has now run out, and we have been forced to announce strikes.<\/p>\n
“Consultants take their responsibilities incredibly seriously, and striking does not come naturally, but we are hearing loud and clear from the profession that they have had enough.”<\/p>\n
Average earnings for consultants top \u00a3150,000 a year.<\/p>\n
Basic pay starts at \u00a3113,500, with the most experienced getting \u00a3150,500. <\/p>\n
But many earn tens of thousands in extra payments and awards.<\/p>\n
In the strike ballot, 76% of consultants who took part voted in favour of strike action, with just over half of eligible BMA members taking part.<\/p>\n
The government says this represents only around one in five consultants employed by the NHS in England voting for strike action, as nearly half are not BMA members.<\/p>\n
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government had been in “constructive discussions” with the BMA so it was “disappointing” the strike dates had been announced.<\/p>\n
She said taking strike action would be “irresponsible” and “place the health service under even greater pressure”.<\/p>\n
The government estimates if the BMA demands were met in full it would cost \u00a32 billion to \u00a33 billion a year.<\/p>\n
The strike announcement comes as consultants and other doctors are taking part in strike action during November in Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n Consultants last took strike action in England in 2023. The long-running dispute involving resident doctors in England came to an end earlier this year after more than three years of on-and-off strike action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n