NHS Confederation responds to confirmation of no new strikes as pay talks between the government and BMA continue

Responding to the BMA's confirmation that no new strikes would be announced while talks with the government continue, as it launched a ballot of SAS doctors and a re-ballot of consultants in England, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said: 

“Nearly a year of industrial action has taken a heavy toll on the NHS, resulting in the cancellation of over 1.2m operations and appointments, hitting already stretched finances to the tune of around £1.4bn and adding further pressure on the health service in an already challenging operating environment.

“So health leaders will be relieved that no new strikes have been announced, and that talks between the government and the BMA are set to continue. While talks have been described as constructive, health leaders know that this is delicate situation and are all too aware of what is at stake; no one should underestimate the impact a resumption of strikes would have on the NHS as we head into winter. It is vital that talks succeed.

“An anxious health service waits with bated breath as talks continue, and we remain hopeful that before Christmas all parties can find a way to end a situation which has hamstrung the NHS for nearly a year.”