NHS Confederation responds to BMA's consultants indicative strike ballot

Responding to the British Medical Association (BMA) consultative ballot on whether consultants would consider taking action over pay, Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“Confirmation that consultants have voted in favour of holding a future ballot for strike action will be concerning to health leaders.

“If this is the strength of feeling from consultants now, the worry is that some could be less inclined to cover shifts during the upcoming junior doctors strikes next week, leaving patient care at increased risk.

“While it is positive that the other trade unions have agreed to suspend their planned industrial action to enter negotiations with the government, it is important for all parts of the NHS’s workforce to have the same opportunity to have their concerns around pay understood.

“The danger of not doing this is that the war of attrition between both sides will continue and escalate further, which no one wants.”