The BMA's resident doctors committee (RDC) will ballot its members between 27 May and 7 July.
The announcement comes three weeks after the RDC warned the Government of the consequences of the absence of a reasonable, timely pay offer.
Co-chairs of RDC, Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, said: ‘Today we met with Wes Streeting and made clear that all he would have to do to avoid the need for a ballot was pledge to negotiate a fair deal that moved us toward pay restoration by 2027, in line with existing BMA policy. Unfortunately, he could not make this commitment.
‘Resident doctors are not going to be ignored. We are going to stand up for our value to the NHS and to patients, and we are going to fight to stay on the path set out for us by last year's deal: restoration of our pay to the level of 2008.
'No doctor today is worth less than they were 17 years ago, and that is precisely what doctors voting "yes" to industrial action will be telling the Government. We don't want to be in the situation where we have to fight over and over again for our worth – we would rather get on with our careers and our work caring for our patients.'
In reaction, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: ‘The government has taken welcome steps to accelerate pay review decision-making for annual pay awards and has acted more broadly to enhance employment and trade union rights across the economy. It is also developing a comprehensive plan for the NHS, its patients and people. At the same time, there are profound challenges for public sector finances and the economy.
‘In this context, NHS organisations will be alarmed by the BMA's preparations to ballot on the outcome of the DDRB process. Health leaders would urge all trade unions, including the BMA, to prioritise dialogue with the government rather than industrial action. Such dialogue would absolutely need to reflect the very real concerns of NHS workers, but also to understand, in particular, the longer-term opportunities as we all work together to improve the health of the nation.'
