Resident Doctors in England Accept Pay Deal
Resident doctors in England have voted to accept the government's offer concerning pay and job provisions, effectively ending three years of industrial action.
The agreement includes an increase in training positions, accelerated pay progression, and a plan to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees.
Over the past few years, patients have experienced cancellations of hundreds of thousands of appointments due to strikes.
In a referendum, 53% of eligible British Medical Association (BMA) members voted in favour of the deal. The turnout was 57%, with 32,932 doctors participating.
Details of the Pay Offer
The offer comprises a 3.5% pay rise this year, as recommended by an independent review body.
Resident doctors will receive backdated pay to 1 April 2026, resulting in an average increase of 4.9% under the overall package, according to the government.
The pay rise is projected to increase to an average of 6.6% by April 2027, with further increases anticipated, according to the union.
Starting salaries will be just over £40,000, while the most senior resident doctors will earn £76,500 in basic pay. Additional earnings are possible through unsociable hours and extra shifts.
Moreover, 4,500 additional training places for newly qualified doctors have been promised, and exam fees for doctors will be covered.
Reactions and Regional Updates
The BMA's resident doctors committee chair, Dr Jack Fletcher, commented:
"These strikes did not need to happen.
We spent far too long at loggerheads with the government when a solution in everyone's interest was waiting for us: more jobs for doctors, better pay for doctors, and a better-staffed NHS secured for patients well into the future."
Resident doctors in Wales are currently engaged in resolving or managing disputes related to pay and training opportunities without resorting to strikes.
In Scotland, resident doctors have accepted the government's pay offer.
In Northern Ireland, resident doctors are planning a 24-hour strike starting at 07:00 BST on 29 June.
About Resident Doctors
Resident doctors are qualified medical practitioners who have completed their medical degrees.
They constitute nearly half of all doctors in England and work across the NHS, including in Accident & Emergency departments and GP surgeries.
Following their initial degree and the mandatory two years of postgraduate foundation training, many choose to specialise in specific areas of medicine or surgery.
Previously referred to as junior doctors, their role was renamed in September 2024 by the government to better reflect their expertise.
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