Dean Royles, director of the NHS Employers organisation (part of the NHS Confederation), said: "We are deeply disappointed with the announcement from the BMA about its decision to take industrial action."
Impact on care
Speaking after the BMA Council met on 30 May to discuss the results of six separate ballots, Dean said: "Doctors know that any industrial action will impact on care and cause distress and disruption to patients and undermine trust and confidence in the medical profession.
“Doctors will now work locally with NHS trusts to assess the impact on local services and to consider the important question of communication with patients and public.
"We know that doctors are anxious about changes to their pensions. But no one wants to see patients dragged into the argument.
Putting patients first
"Industrial action could potentially mean delays to treatment. It would be particularly distressing for patients and extremely worrying for staff who are dedicated to putting patients first."
Ballot results
Half of the BMA's members responded to the six separate ballots and the specific results are set out below.
General practitioners
Of the 17,561 responses, 78.96% voted in favour to take part in industrial action and 63.25% said that they are prepared to take part in a strike.
Consultant doctors
Of the 18,721 responses, 84.26% voted in favour to take part in industrial action and 73.09% said that they are prepared to take part in a strike.
Junior doctors
Of the 12,060 responses, 92.91% voted in favour to take part in industrial action and 81.92% said that they are prepared to take part in a strike.
Staff associate, specialist and specialty doctors
Of the 3,476 responses, 87.45% said that they were prepared to take part in industrial action and 76.62% said that they are prepared to take part in a strike.
Occupational medicine doctors
Of the 41 responses, 39.02% said that they were prepared to take part in industrial action and 65.85% said that they are prepared to take part in a strike.
Public health and community health doctors
Of the 391 responses, 75.19% said that they were prepared to take part in industrial action and 60.26% said that they are prepared to take part in a strike.
Information and support
See NHS Employers' website for more information, including details of its guidance and support for employers.
