NHS consultants have rebuffed a pay offer from the government, signaling a continuation of the prolonged strike action that has gripped the healthcare sector. The senior doctors had temporarily halted their strike in November 2023 following the government’s proposal of a 4.95% pay increase, in addition to the annual 6% increment.

Members of the British Medical Association (BMA), the principal trade union representing doctors in the UK, have been actively voting on the offer throughout this month. The rejection underscores the discontent among NHS consultants regarding the terms of the proposed pay rise.

The offer, which included adjustments to the pay scale structure, aimed to address concerns raised by healthcare professionals. Notably, a commitment to reform the pay review body responsible for recommending doctors’ wages formed a crucial component of the proposal.

The decision to resume the strike comes as a blow to ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute between the government and NHS consultants. The rejection suggests that the proposed pay increase and accompanying changes did not meet the expectations or address the broader issues raised by the medical community.