National newspaper adverts by the BMA today lay bare the significant pay difference between a resident doctor and their non-medically qualified assistants.
The adverts make clear that while a newly-qualified doctor’s assistant is taking home over £24 per hour. A newly-qualified doctor with years of medical school experience is on just £18.62 per hour.
During talks over the last week the Health Secretary failed to address the fact that their pay has eroded by 21% between 2008 and 2025 - the worst decline in the public sector. The Health Secretary and his officials have refused to continue talks across the strike days, despite the committee’s willingness to do so. The resident doctors’ committee overwhelmingly rejected what amounted to nothing more than vague promises on non-pay issues in a letter to them from Mr Streeting.
BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt said:
“Pay erosion has now got to the point where a doctor’s assistant can be paid up to 30% more than a resident doctor. That’s going to strike most of the public that use the NHS as deeply unfair.
“Resident doctors are not worth less than they were 17 years ago but unfortunately, they’ve seen their pay erode by more than 21% in the last two decades. We’re not working 21% less hard so why should our pay suffer?
“We’re asking for an extra £4 per hour to restore our pay. It’s a small price to pay for those who may hold your life in their hands. Restoring pay remains the simplest and most effective route towards improving our working lives and restoring the NHS workforce.
Thousands of doctors a year are applying for jobs abroad that pay better. No doctor wants to strike but that is the action we have now been forced to take by a refusal to simply continue on the journey to fair pay that was promised last year.
“Mr Streeting had every opportunity to prevent this strike going ahead but he chose not to take it. That said, we want these strikes to be the last we ever have to participate in. We are asking Mr Streeting to get back around the table with a serious proposal as soon as possible - this time with the intent to bring this to a just conclusion.”
Notes to editors
- Advert attached.
- The starting annual salary for a physician assistant (someone without a medical degree) working a 37.5hr week is £47,810 or £24.45 per hour. A foundation year one doctor’s starting salary is £38,831 or £18.62 per hour. The BMA is calling for pay restoration for all resident doctors in England. For more information visit the BMA website.
- The Leng review: an independent review into physician associate and anaesthesia associate professions recommends the Department of Health and Social Care immediately implement a name change to assistant from associate.
- For a full list of locations where pickets are taking place this week, please visit: https://strikemap.org/
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.