Senior Doctors in England Reach Deal to End Strikes, UK

Britain’s government strikes a pay deal with senior doctors in England, potentially bringing an end to disruptive strikes that have plagued the country’s healthcare sector. The Department of Health and Social Care has submitted a pay offer to doctors’ unions, which includes an additional 4.95% increase this financial year on top of a previously granted 6% raise. Following weeks of negotiations, union leaders have agreed to present the proposal to their members for a vote. The strikes staged by senior physicians earlier this year have already caused significant disruptions at hospitals across England, exacerbating the existing challenges faced by the under-funded and under-staffed National Health Service. In addition to demanding better pay and working conditions, healthcare professionals have been grappling with the effects of soaring inflation and a cost-of-living crisis. The government’s proposal has been described as a fair deal by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who believes it will benefit both senior doctors and patients. The strikes have led to the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of hospital appointments, intensifying the strain on the already overwhelmed healthcare system. The British Medical Association highlights that senior doctors’ pay has dropped by a third in real terms over the past 14 years. By reaching this pay agreement, the government hopes to quell further strikes and alleviate the pressure on the National Health Service.