'Underpaid and overworked': Why consultants are going on strike

Jacob King/PA Media

By Daniel Pye

Consultants will soon be back out on the picket lines, only three years after they were last on strike.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that consultants in England plan to down tools for two days next month in a bid to improve their pay and working conditions.

Health secretary Yvette Cooper said the action was “irresponsible” and the NHS Alliance said it would impact patient care.

Doctors.net.uk looks at the detail behind the current action — and what consultants want.

What has been announced?

Consultants will walk out for 48 hours from 6:59am on 25 November after informal talks with the government failed to make progress.

During this time senior doctors will only provide emergency and life-saving cover, which the BMA describes as ‘Christmas Day’ level of care.

This means that “no patients will be harmed but the government will hear our message loud and clear,” the union said.