Doctors must remain united in their fight to restore fairness on pay and working conditions, this year’s BMA SAS conference has heard.
Specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors must not allow themselves to be daunted by potential future industrial action around pay and remember they are ‘not alone on this journey into the unknown’.
The call to action comes as a ballot of SAS doctors in England, which could ultimately deliver mandate for possible strike action, continues at pace alongside a similar ballot aimed at consultants.
The England ballot, which opened on 11 May, will soon be joined by a ballot process in Northern Ireland, which will see SAS doctors there vote on whether to strike owing to pay and conditions from 26 May.
The decision to move to balloting comes following a disappointing pay settlement delivered by the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration and Government last month, which saw SAS doctors receive an uplift of just 3.5 per cent for 2026/27.
MOHITE: No choice but to seek a mandate for escalating to strike action
In her address to her committee’s annual conference held at BMA House yesterday, BMA specialist, associate specialist and specialty chair Ujjwala Mohite applauded those in attendance for their commitment and support in fighting for the collective rights and recognition of SAS doctors everywhere.
Citing the fact that SAS doctors have experienced a 23 per cent fall in their pay in the past 17 years, while also enduring slow progress on initiatives such as the creation of adequate numbers of posts under the 2021 specialist doctor contract, Dr Mohite said there had been no choice but to seek a mandate for escalating to strike action.
She added that, while it was vital for SAS doctors to stand firm together, solidarity with consultants and resident doctors already engaged in industrial action was equally essential.
She said: ‘With the ballot for SAS doctors in England already under way and open … I urge all of you to cast your vote and make your voices heard.
‘Let me be clear: strike action is not a forgone conclusion, nor is it something that any of us consider lightly but we cannot afford to ignore the reality of the circumstances we find ourselves in.
‘As Shanu and Helen in the consultants committee have themselves made clear, these ballots are about consultants and SAS doctors “standing together” to demand better, and that is exactly what we are doing.
‘We are standing together to fight for fairness and for restoration of our pay [and] for better working conditions and acknowledgement of our true worth as skilled and dedicated senior doctors.
‘Ultimately, we are standing together for all our patients and for an NHS that desperately needs us and I know that our solidarity will remain strong and unwavering.’
First time
While subject to previous ballots on possible industrial action, SAS doctors have never resorted to strike action, with the BMA having secured pay agreements following previous ballot votes.
Dr Mohite added: ‘I understand that the prospect of joining picket lines in the future is for many people a daunting one.
‘I know that what every SAS doctors would like most of all is simply to be able to get on with our jobs and to give our full care and attention to our patients.
‘Please remember, however, that none of us are alone on this journey into the unknown. Together, we stand strong and united as SAS and locally employed doctors. With our consultant colleagues, we stand in solidarity and for a common cause.
‘Provided we do not doubt ourselves or falter in our intent and continue to stand firm and confident in securing the change that is rightfully owed to us, I truly believe that there is nothing that we can’t achieve.’
United front
The ballot for SAS doctors in England will run until 6 July, with a ballot for SAS doctors in Northern Ireland due to open from 26 May until 12 June.
Should these votes, and those for consultants in England and consultants and resident doctors in Northern Ireland, deliver a mandate for industrial action both countries could see unprecedented strike action among all secondary-care doctors.
More information on the balloting process for both nations can be found on the BMA website:
– Northern Ireland consultants