NHS Confederation responds to BMA announcing reballot for industrial action mandate

Responding to the announcement that the British Medical Association (BMA) resident doctors committee in England will reballot its members to seek a mandate for another six months of industrial action, Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said:

“NHS leaders will be incredibly disappointed at the BMA’s decision to reballot its members for yet more industrial action.

“We know that strikes have had a major financial impact on the NHS already, with the last five-day walkout estimated to have cost a staggering £300 million. With these costs not included in the health service’s budgets, future strikes will force NHS leaders to make difficult choices including reducing staff and patient services to try and balance the books.

“Health leaders would urge resident doctors to reflect on the impact of further industrial action on patients, the difficult financial backdrop we’re operating in, and the generous pay rise that has already been offered to them by the government before they vote to go ahead with more walkouts which would stretch well into the summer.”