Why junior doctors are striking - a guide for patients

Why junior doctors are striking

A crippling cost-of-living crisis, burnout and well below inflation pay rises are driving hard working doctors out of their profession, at a time when we need them more than ever. 

In 2022, junior doctors were offered an insulting and well below inflation pay rise of 2%.

No-one can be expected to stay in a high pressured job where your earnings are being eroded year on year.

That's why we are calling on the Government for full pay restoration.

Watch the explainer video below on 'Why does doctors pay restoration seem to cost so much?'

Junior doctors are struggling

A recent survey carried out by the BMA has brought home the realities of life for thousands of junior doctors across the country.

Shockingly, like so many struggling families, in the last 12 months:

• more than 50% have had difficulties paying their utility bills
• nearly 50% have had to borrow money from family
• around 80% have had to reduce the amount they spend on food shopping and cut down the amount of heating they use

It's simply not right that junior doctors are in a constant battle to make ends meet. They worked flat out during the pandemic and continue to work tirelessly for their patients in the face of huge backlogs and intense pressures.

It is deeply worrying - yet unsurprising - that many doctors are rethinking their choice of career or working in the NHS. 

In fact, in the past 12 months:

• 79% say they often think about leaving the NHS
• more than 85% know other junior doctors who have left to work in a different profession or work as a doctor in a different country.

The top reasons given are:

• level of current pay
• the below inflation pay award given in 2022 and pay erosion since 2008/9
• combined with deteriorating working conditions.

These are all things we are fighting to change - for the benefit of all junior doctors and for the benefit of all patients.

The Government isn't listening

To protect the NHS and prevent junior doctors moving to countries like Australia and New Zealand or changing careers altogether, the Government must address doctors' concerns.

So far, they have refused to meet with us. This has left doctors with no other option but to vote on whether to take industrial action. 

If junior doctors are forced out of the NHS because of poor pay and conditions, the government's inaction will be to blame and the services we all rely on will suffer.

Pay review process

Junior doctors' contracts are still subject to a multiple-year pay deal, and this is what led to them being awarded a paltry 2% increase for 2022/2.

However, in the Framework Agreement for 2018 contract negotiations, it's stated that the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) is able to make further pay recommendations on behalf of junior doctors in England when requested.

The Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) themselves have commented that a decision not to apply an award to groups subject to a pay deal will have "a significant effect on motivation, affecting retention, productivity, and ultimately, patient care". They also state that the increase of 2%, set as part of the current deal "is likely not sufficient" to address those issues.

How junior doctor pay is decided

The Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB) is the body that sets the pay of doctors and dentists in the NHS.

It is supposed to be an independent body that keeps doctors' pay in line with "the cost of living, the movement of earnings in other professions and the quality and quantity of recruitment in all professions."

Despite this, various Governments since 1998 have successfully applied pressure to amend the Terms of Reference of the Review Body.

Over time, we have lost confidence in the DDRB's independence and approach due to Governments repeatedly disregarding its recommendations and interfering in its work.

We have frequently called for immediate and fundamental reform of the pay review process for doctors. It is painfully clear that the DDRB is not delivering on keeping doctors' pay in line with the cost of living, or other professions.

The 'junior doctor' title explained

Who are junior doctors?

Junior doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training.

Where do patients see a junior doctor?

In a hospital or GP practice.

What is their level of training?

They have completed a medical degree and foundation training.

They have anywhere up to eight year's experience working as a hospital doctor, depending on their specialty, or up to three years in general practice.

All junior doctors work under the supervisor of a senior doctor.

Common titles for junior doctors

• FY1 – foundation year one junior doctor
• FY2 – foundation year two junior doctor
• ST – specialty trainee in a hospital specialty
• SpR – specialty registrar in a hospital specialty
• GPST – specialty registrar in general practice

Show your support

If you agree junior doctors are being given a raw deal, you're not alone.

A recent survey carried out by Savanta showed that a majority of the public support junior doctors taking industrial action for pay restoration, than not.

It is clear to the public that patient safety is already being compromised by poor pay and conditions. Strikes are not the biggest risk to patient safety, doing nothing and allowing the situation to get worse, is.

Enough is enough.

Together, we can make the Government sit up and take notice. 

Keep up to date with our campaign and find out what you can do to show your support.

• Share on social - follow us on X (formally known as Twitter) and Instagram and share with your followers
• Tell your MP - help to make sure MPs understand junior doctors' concerns 
• Donate to support striking junior doctors - help support our NHS doctors to win this fight