The BMA says today’s announcement of a 3.5% pay award for doctors, following a recommendation from the doctors and dentists’ pay review body the DDRB, will be a “crushing blow” to doctors in England. With inflation figures out today showing RPI at 3.6% in February, and expected to rise even more, this award is set to be another real-terms pay cut for doctors, on top of making no progress at addressing historic pay loss.
BMA council chair Dr Tom Dolphin said:
“Today’s announcement will be a crushing blow to doctors in England, leaving many to consider why they should continue to give their all to a system that refuses to value them.
“It will dash any hope that the Government might be prepared to properly recognise the expertise and contribution of doctors to the health of the nation, and it shows that the promised reforms to the DDRB have not resulted in it showing its independence from government in any way. Both the recommendation and award fail to meet the rising cost of living, let alone make any progress in restoring pay that doctors have lost over the last 17 years.
“It is no surprise then that the BMA’s resident doctors committee has rejected an offer for resident doctors in England that includes today’s award and announced new strike dates.
“All of the doctors we represent affected by today’s announcement will be looking at it with dismay and planning their next steps. All doctors have seen their pay fall in real terms over the last decade and more, and we know that given that inflation is expected to skyrocket this year, this will most likely be a further real-terms pay cut. It should therefore come as no shock to ministers when we see more groups making plans towards their own industrial action.
“Just last week we saw politicians heap praise and gratitude on doctors and their colleagues for their ‘extraordinary efforts’ during the pandemic, and recognise the need to support and retain them in the health service. Today’s announcement flies in the face of this.
“Doctors are stretched to the limit, delivering their best for patients against all odds and are burning out. The answer the Government has to this is cutting their pay further.“More strikes may be the short-term impact, but if not solved, the long-term is far worse, as we see more doctors turning their backs on the NHS they love and have already given so much to.”
Ends
Notes to editors
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.