Resident doctors' strike averted in Scotland

Resident doctors in Scotland have voted to accept a revised pay and contract reform offer and call off strike action.

Resident doctors' strike averted in Scotland

The BMA has confirmed that its members have accepted an offer of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27 – a deal that matches one recently accepted by nurses and other health care staff.

The agreement, which will see a cumulative 8.16% uplift over two years, also includes a separate package of contractual reform over the same period with a total combined investment of £133m.

Proposed strike action, which had originally been postponed by the BMA on 9 January, will now be cancelled.

Health secretary, Neil Gray, said: ‘I'm grateful to the BMA for the intensive and constructive talks we held to reach this agreement and for confirmation that any threat of industrial action is now fully lifted, avoiding any cancelled operations or disruption to care.'

He added: ‘With Scotland remaining the only part of the UK to avoid pay-related strike action in the NHS, I am now determined that we will continue to make progress in cutting waiting times and ensuring people get quality care.'

Dr Chris Smith, chair of BMA Scottish resident doctor committee, said: ‘This pay deal, which is based on total funding of £149m over two years, is a welcome substantial investment and continues progress towards reversing the pay erosion resident doctors have suffered since 2008.

‘However, there remains much more work to be done to address issues affecting resident doctors in Scotland, to secure their future - and the future of the NHS.'

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