Joint statement on outcome of BMA ballot for consultant industrial action in England

04 Jul 2023

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has shared a joint statement following the results of the BMA’s ballot on consultant industrial action in England.

Earlier this week, the BMA announced that 24,106 votes were cast, with 86% of those in favour of industrial action.

The joint statement, published by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, underlines that the choice to take part in industrial action is a deeply personal one, and those consultants who have voted in favour will not have done so lightly.

It recognises that many will have made the decision owing to serious concerns about the impact of understaffing on colleague wellbeing, as well as the standard of care patients are receiving in a wholly overstretched health service. These concerns are likely to be just as worrisome and important to those who did not vote, or voted against industrial action. The Colleges will support consultants in their decisions.

The news follows developments that may lead to industrial action across the UK. The BMA Junior Doctor Committee in England has already indicated that it will call strikes throughout the summer. In Scotland, the BMA Junior Doctors Committee has announced three days of action to begin on 12 July.

The prospect of both consultant and junior doctor industrial action in quick succession over many months will be worrying to patients and hospital leaders alike. The Colleges are urging respective governments and representing unions to continue negotiations so that agreement is reached, and further industrial action is avoided.

Read the joint statement in full, including the list of signatories here.

Categories: College, Workforce