Following the failure of Government to offer a pay award for 2025/26 that keeps resident doctors on the path to full pay restoration, we’ve announced our ballot for industrial action.
The ballot will open on 27 May and close on 7 July.
Members should send their vote back by 30 June latest to make sure it’s counted.
A trade union ballot requires a turnout of 50% of those eligible to vote in order to be considered to have support for industrial action.
A successful vote results in a mandate for industrial action that lasts for six months.
Voting in the re-ballot
Who can vote
All BMA resident doctor members employed by NHS organisations are eligible to vote. See our full guidance on who can vote and take part in industrial action.
The meaning of your vote
Your vote in the ballot indicates whether or not you support industrial action but does not commit you to action. The decision to take action is an individual choice.
Everybody who we are balloting may take action. We are not balloting those members who are not eligible to take action - for example, armed forces doctors.
Receiving your ballot
Eligible members should have now received their ballot paper.
Receiving a ballot in error
Please let us know by filling out our ballot sent in error form or by email. It is essential you let us know if you have received a ballot in error. This is so we can remove you from our system so your ballot does not count against us reaching the necessary threshold for a successful ballot.
Opting out if you're away from work
You will need to contact the BMA and opt out of the ballot if you are away for the whole mandate period. This includes if you are on maternity leave.
However, if you are returning within the mandate period, you are still eligible to vote.
Opting out if you are no longer a resident doctor
You will need to contact the BMA and opt out of the ballot if you are due to obtain your CCT and start a consultant/GP post on or before the first day of the mandate period.
If you are, or expect to be, a resident doctor for even one day of the mandate period, including if you will be in your period of grace, you are eligible to vote.
If you can't find the information you need in this guide, send us your questions here and we will add the answers to these pages.
Or contact BMA via our employment advice form if you have a question about your personal circumstances.
As of 18 September, all references to junior doctors in BMA communications have been changed to ‘resident doctors’.
Making up nearly 25% of all doctors in the UK, this cohort will now have a title that better reflects their huge range of skills and responsibilities.
Find out more about why junior doctors are now known as 'resident doctors'.