Latest news with #payrise
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
No meal deal? Striking doctors 'are offered cheaper lunches' in attempt to avert five-day walk out
Doctors rejected Wes Streeting 's last-ditch offer of meal deals and opted to strike instead. Resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, refused the Health Secretary's offer of cheaper lunches and subsidised medical equipment and instead voted for a five-day walkout. Mr Streeting warned that he couldn't budge on pay, but instead proposed to cut the costs of exams and improve financial support, The Sun revealed. In his letter on Monday the Labour MP said he wanted to resolve the disputes without strikes and felt progress had already been made but talks broke down on Tuesday. The British Medical Association are demanding a 29 per cent pay increase instead of the 5.4 per cent initially offered. The Health Secretary accused the British Medical Association of showing 'complete disdain for patients' and described their walkout as 'unjustified' earlier this week. Health leaders were also quick to round on the union, warning their 'crushing' and 'misjudged' action would cause widespread disruption and harm. Up to 50,000 resident doctors - formerly known as junior doctors - are set to strike from 7am on Friday in pursuit of a 29 per cent pay rise. They have already received above inflation pay rises for the past three years, worth an extra 28.9 per cent in total, following previous strikes. This includes an inflation-busting rise this year of 5.4 per cent, which is the most generous in the public sector. Despite this the BMA said Mr Streeting's offer 'did not go far enough to warrant calling off strikes' and lacked any 'substantive proposal on both pay and non-pay elements'. Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chairs of the BMA's RDC, said: 'Disappointingly, what we saw would not have been significant enough to change the day-to-day financial situation for our members. 'The non-pay aspects of last year's pay deal have still not been delivered, which has shaken the confidence of our members that any further non-pay elements would be honoured.' Mr Streeting said: 'After a 28.9 per cent pay hike in the last three years and the highest pay rise in the public sector two years in a row, strike action is completely unjustified, completely unprecedented in the history of British trade unionism and shows a complete disdain for patients and the wider recovery of the NHS.' The announcement came after health bosses warned striking doctors will cause patients 'undoubted harm' and a new poll revealed the majority of the public now oppose walkouts. The latest YouGov poll reveals more than half (52 per cent) of people in the UK either 'somewhat oppose' (20 per cent) or 'strongly oppose' (32 per cent) the idea of resident doctors going on strike over pay. Meanwhile, only a third (34 per cent) of the 4,954 adults surveyed either 'somewhat support' (23 per cent) or 'strongly support' (11 per cent) doctor strikes. YouGov said the proportion supporting the strike over pay has dropped five points since it last asked the question in May. Then, 48 per cent opposed resident doctors striking, while 39 per cent supported them taking action. Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said of the BMA's announcement: 'This decision is a crushing blow for patients and for the NHS. 'We urge resident doctors to help trusts minimise the harm by notifying them of their plans for strike days. 'For example we must ensure that there are enough staff for all the cancer, transplant and maternity care that cannot and must not be delayed. 'Another huge worry is the cost. 'It is vital that consultants providing cover take NHS rates of pay rather than insisting on inflated BMA rates that are simply unaffordable. 'We say to the BMA 'think again' and pull back from this hugely damaging decision.'
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Wes Streeting orders his officials to turn their focus to keeping patients safe during doctors strikes after peace talks with the British Medical Association broke down
Wes Streeting has ordered his officials to turn their focus to keeping patients safe during doctors strikes after union peace talks broke down. The health secretary has told the British Medical Association that 'all areas of engagement' with its leaders will now 'cease' so mandarins can 'prioritise minimising the impact of the strike action'. He said it is clear they have 'chosen a path of full dispute', showing 'scant regard for patients' and and accused them of failing to act in 'good faith'. Up to 50,000 resident doctors - formerly known as junior doctors - will walkout for five days from 7am on Friday in pursuit of a 29 per cent pay rise. They have already received above inflation pay rises for the past three years, worth an extra 28.9 per cent in total, following previous strikes. The BMA and Department of Health and Social Care held talks over the weekend with the aim of negotiating a settlement. But the BMA's resident doctors committee rejected the proposal on Tuesday and said it would plough ahead with industrial action. Mr Streeting responded to the leaders of the RDC today criticising them for turning their back on a deal in favour of a 'reckless and irresponsible' walkout. In a letter, seen by the Daily Mail, he wrote: 'The decision taken by your committee to commence strike action this week is reckless and irresponsible. 'Strike action should always be a last resort. 'Instead, it seems to be the BMA RDC's weapon of choice, with scant regard for patients or other NHS staff who will be left picking up the pieces of your actions.' He said he had been clear he could not offer higher pay rises but was willing to negotiate on other areas that would improve their finances and working conditions. 'There have been multiple discussions in which it is now clear that you have not engaged in the same good faith,' he added. 'Strike action costs the NHS in so many ways, and there are significant implications not only to patients but on the improvements that this government can deliver to the NHS for everyone. 'With strikes going ahead, I cannot in good conscience let patients, or other NHS staff pay the price for your decision. 'You have clearly chosen a path of full dispute, and this has consequences for the whole of the NHS system. 'I will therefore be asking my department to prioritise minimising the impact of the strike action and all areas of engagement with the BMA RDC will, by virtue of your decision, now cease.' Mr Streeting said he came into office with a 'genuine desire' to work with the resident doctors to improve their lives but they have 'squandered that opportunity and exhausted our good will'. He finished by urging them to reconsider their position and said resident doctors on the frontline would have a 'better path to a brighter future' if they had 'better leadership'. Membership groups representing NHS managers have warned the strikes will cause widespread disruption and put patients at risk of harm. Opinion polls show the public is opposed to the industrial action, which could see consultant members of the BMA cashing in by charging £6,000 to cover on-call rotas over the weekend. The union says the pay of resident doctors has been cut in real terms since 2008 and it wants to achieve full pay restoration.
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Union leader behind doctors' strikes compared Luigi Mangione to Jesus
The union leader behind the latest round of doctors' strikes compared the alleged killer Luigi Mangione to Jesus. Dr Tom Dolphin, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) council, appeared to praise the 26-year-old Ivy league graduate who was indicted for the murder of the UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in New York last year. In one post to his Bluesky social media account, Dr Dolphin compared a photograph of Mr Mangione being led to a police station by the NYPD in December to a painting of Christ before his crucifixion. He also said that the alleged murderer, who is accused of gunning down Mr Thompson because of his objections to the American health insurance system, '[stood] up to the rich and powerful' and had 'threaten[ed] the wealthy'. The BMA has announced it will bring some NHS care across England to a standstill on Friday, when 50,000 resident doctors will strike for a 29 per cent pay rise. The strike has been condemned by Wes Streeting as 'reckless and needless', and the union has said patient safety will be put at risk because the NHS is planning to continue with scheduled treatments during the walkout. Stuart Andrew, the shadow health secretary, said: 'These are deeply troubling remarks. For the chair of the BMA to be comparing a man charged with murder to Jesus is highly disturbing – and totally unacceptable. 'Mr Dolphin has serious questions to answer, and should immediately withdraw these comments.' The strike will take place between 7am on Friday and 7am on Wednesday July 30, after ministers refused to agree to the pay increase and pointed out that resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, had received the most generous pay rises of any public sector workers over the last two years. Dr Dolphin, a consultant anaesthetist in London and failed prospective Labour parliamentary candidate, has developed a reputation as a hardline union activist at the BMA. In his posts about Mr Mangione, he also criticised US police for the extensive manhunt that followed Mr Thompson's murder on December 4 2024. He posted a photograph of Mr Mangione's 'perp walk', when he was led away by police officers in an orange jumpsuit, alongside El Greco's 1579 painting 'The Disrobing of Christ'. 'Dramatic scene' The painting depicts Christ being undressed for the crucifixion, after he was sentenced to death at Pontius Pilate's palace, which is described in the New Testament as the Praetorium. Dr Dolphin said: 'This dramatic scene was the authorities trying to show what happens when one man stands up against the rich and powerful. 'I don't think this was how the NYPD were anticipating it would look. Perhaps El Greco's piece should be retitled 'Christ's Perp Walk To The Praetorium'...' He later clarified that while Mr Mangione was 'alleged to have used violence to further his cause', Jesus 'did quite the opposite'. 'I was just struck by the visual imagery and how the NYPD made Mangione look, presumably unintentionally,' he said. Three days earlier, Dr Dolphin had posted another photo of Mr Mangione's walk to jail with the caption: 'They want to be very clear what happens to people who threaten the wealthy.' During the five-day manhunt for Mr Mangione, which ended with his arrest in a McDonald's in Pennsylvania, Dr Dolphin posted: 'Good to see the police in the US applying the same level of effort and diligence to finding the Thompson killer that they do for all homicides.' He added: 'Did you know, privilege literally means 'private law'?' Mr Mangione denies the eleven state charges and four federal charges against him, which include first-degree murder, murder in furtherance of terrorism, criminal possession of a weapon, and stalking. His arrest, and the subsequent discovery of an alleged 'manifesto' criticising health insurance bosses for 'corruption and greed', have turned him into a cult hero on the American Left. Some supporters of Mr Mangione, many of whom are young women, appeared at his federal plea hearing in April to protest against prosecutors' decision to seek the death penalty for him. In January, a poll of US college students found that half viewed the killing of Mr Thompson extremely or somewhat favourably.
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Patients in England: have you had treatment cancelled or postponed due to the planned resident doctors strike?
Resident doctors in England are set to go on strike on Friday demanding a 29% pay rise that they say would restore salaries that have been eroded over the past decade. The industrial action is due to take place from 7am on 25 July to 7am on 30 July. We would like to hear how patients are being affected by the planned strike. Have you had medical treatment such as appointment or surgery cancelled or postponed? How do you feel about the strike? You can tell us if you are a patient and have been affected by the planned strikes by filling in the form below, or messaging us. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. Contact us on WhatsApp at +447766780300. For more information, please see our guidance on contacting us via WhatsApp. For true anonymity please use our SecureDrop service instead.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
How much resident doctors really earn as they plan to strike over NHS pay
Resident doctors will go ahead with a five-day strike this week after talks between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government broke down. The BMA rejected the government's offer of a 5.4 per cent pay rise this year and is calling for a 29 per cent pay rise, claiming doctors have seen a 20 per cent pay erosion in their salaries since 2008. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, described the strike action as 'completely unjustified'. He added: 'It shows a complete disdain for patients and the wider recovery of the NHS.' The BMA said the health secretary's offer did not go far enough on pay. The walkout will run from Friday, 25 July, until the following Wednesday, with further strikes threatened every month until January unless their pay demands are met. Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, are qualified doctors in their first years of training. A fifth are completing their first two foundation years, while the remainder are in core or speciality registrar training. The newly agreed salary for those on foundation training is between £38,831 and £44,439, with specialist training salaries rising to £73,992. That includes the 5.4 per cent increase awarded earlier this year, but does not include London weighting. The BMA wants pay boosted to between £47,308 and £54,274 for foundation doctors, and up to a maximum of £90,989 for residents in specialist training at the highest end, over a flexible negotiated period. The NHS Confederation estimates that every 0.1 per cent pay rise across the NHS will cost the health service an extra £125 million each year. While the pay rise being requested is only for resident doctors, who account for 75,000 of the workforce, the difference between what the BMA is requesting and what is currently paid could cost millions or even billions. How much are residents paid compared to other doctors? Resident doctors' current salary of between £38,831 and £44,439 a year is for a 40-hour week, and does not include extra pay for working more hours or night shifts, which varies significantly per person. Doctors in core or specialist training can earn £52,656 a year, going on to earn up to £73,992 a year at the highest end. The government has said that this sits at around an average of £54,300 across resident doctors of all stages of training. Meanwhile, consultants, who have specialist knowledge in a particular medical field, earn a basic salary of between £105,504 and £139,882 a year. After two years of foundation training, it generally takes around five to eight more years before doctors can become eligible for consultant roles, though the wait can be longer. Nurses start at a lower salary band, around £31,049 for a newly-qualified nurse, according to the NHS' Agenda for Change. This can go up to £54,710 for ward managers, and £96,0000 for the most senior specialist nurses. Dentists employed by the NHS start at £42,408 a year and progress to £94,000 for the most senior roles and £105,000 for dental consultants. This puts resident doctors in a similar starting range to dentists, and 22 per cent higher than nurses. How far is pay behind inflation? Inflation is central to the BMA's demands, arguing that even after the uplift, pay for resident doctors has been eroded by 20.9 per cent since 2008. With the current 5.4 per cent uplift, the BMA says doctors won't see their pay restored for 12 years, or until 2036. Instead, resident doctors are seeking a 29 per cent pay rise, which Mr Streeting has called 'completely unreasonable'. However, the BMA's figures are calculated using retail prices index (RPI) inflation, which is no longer used as a national statistic. This includes factors such as housing prices, council tax, and mortgage rates. Using the official measure of inflation, consumer prices index (CPI), the Nuffield Trust calculated that doctors' pay has fallen by a more moderate 4.7 per cent in the same period. In cash terms, excluding inflation, foundation-year resident doctors have seen a substantial pay boost in recent years. First year foundation doctors were paid just £29,384 in 2022; which means the new 5.4 per cent uplift amounts to an overall 32 per cent pay rise on that figure. While 2022 saw a four-decade-high rate of inflation, and doctors' salaries had already been falling behind, this is a more sizeable increase than seen by other public sectors. Nurses, for example, have seen starting salaries rise by just 14.8 per cent in the same period, less than half the rate of resident doctors. Doctors' pay compared to other public sectors Doctors and medical staff provide essential public services. So, how does their pay compare to police and firefighters? According to the Firefighters Union (FU), a trainee will earn around £28,265 a year, bumped up to £37,675 once they become a fully 'competent' firefighter in 1-3 years. At this point, overtime is paid at £25.80 per hour. Firefighters generally work a two-day, two-night shift pattern, with four days off in between. The highest salary for 'area manager' firefighters is at £69,283, according to the FU; not including London weighting. Meanwhile, figures from the Police Federation suggest that constables begin on £29,907 a year (without London weighting), rising to £48,000 for the highest pay band. Chief Inspectors can earn as much as £72,700 in London at the highest range. This suggests that resident doctors start at a moderately higher salary range, with more potential for upward movement. But comparing these fields of work is a challenge. Doctors must complete several years of medical school before qualifying. This saddles many doctors with debt before entering the workforce - something which is not a requirement for other emergency services, including firefighters and police. Low doctor pay compared to other countries In France, most doctors are self-employed, except for a minority who are directly employed by hospitals. Starting salaries are already expected to be around £3,400 per month, tallying at £40,800 a year. The average salary for a general practitioner is £84,000, according to data from the public health service. This can go up to as high as £350,000 for radiotherapists. In Canada, low starting salaries for doctors are around £46,000, according to national data. But average salaries sit around £122,000, with peak pay at £236,000 a year. The US has the highest salaries for doctors overall, with significant variation by state. Since private healthcare pay is unstandardised, it is hard to directly compare starting salaries. But resident doctors in the US are paid on average between £51,000 and £86,000, according to Glassdoor, with some surgeons earning upwards of £500,000 a year. It is important to note that the NHS is relatively unique because it is funded by the taxpayer. Canada has a similar system, which covers 70 per cent of healthcare spending, known as Medicare. Most doctors are paid in a fee-for-service model, not a set salary. France has a reimbursement model where patients mostly pay upfront, and may be partially or fully refunded by the state. And the US has some form of free health insurance, known as Medicaid; but this covers a shrinking fraction of the population. Ultimately, doctors are privately paid through forms of insurance, even if the state subsidises some healthcare. In this way, the UK is somewhat unique in how the taxpayer shoulders the burden of public healthcare salaries, excluding private doctors.
