Latest news with #DrRossNieuwoudt
The Independent
06-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Resident doctors to restart talks over pay dispute
Dr Ross Nieuwoudt and Dr Melissa Ryan, co-chairs of the BMA's resident doctors committee, met Mr Streeting on Tuesday. In a joint statement, Dr Nieuwoudt and Dr Ryan shared: 'We met yesterday with Mr Streeting to once again reiterate what is needed to bring this dispute to an end. 'We were very clear about the determination of resident doctors to return to a fair level of pay. 'Our conversation was informative and we feel that we have achieved a greater mutual understanding than in previous talks. 'We have agreed a window for negotiations, which we hope the Government will use wisely.' The statement added that medics are working to 'ensure strike action does not need to be repeated'. 'We want to work with the Department for Health and Social Care to deliver on non-pay items it previously agreed to, and to forge mutual respect following years when the previous incumbents seemingly cared little for doctors' pay or wellbeing,' it said. 'We are clear, though, that going forward there has to be movement on pay. 'We also reminded Mr Streeting of the urgent need to provide enough jobs for doctors and bring an end to the current situation where thousands of resident doctors apply for far too few roles, leaving many unable to progress their careers and go on to be our future consultants, GPs and other specialist doctors. 'We are working to ensure strike action does not need to be repeated and will give time to explore solutions. However, doctors and patients both deserve a resolution sooner rather than later.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The Secretary of State had a constructive conversation with the BMA resident doctors co-chairs yesterday and agreed to continue engagement through the summer with the aim of preventing further disruption to the NHS and patients. 'We have been clear that, following a 28.9 per cent pay rise for resident doctors, we cannot go further on pay this year, but there is shared ambition to explore and address some of the unique additional costs that resident doctors incur through their training and work.' It comes after early analysis by NHS England claimed less than a third of resident doctors joined strike action last week. The number of medics that took part in the walkout was down by 7.5 per cent (1,243) on the previous round of industrial action in July last year. However, the BMA rejected this, saying complex work schedules and doctors taking leave make this information 'almost impossible to know'.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
NHS faces summer chaos as doctors announce five-day walkout
Resident doctors will strike later this month for five days of industrial action, designed to bring hospitals to a standstill. Thousands of medics - previously known as junior doctors - demanding pay hikes of up to 29 per cent will walk out from July 25 to July 30. British Medical Association (BMA) bosses claimed they had 'no choice but to call strikes' after the Government had failed to make a 'credible offer' to 'restore pay'. More than 26,000 resident doctors voted in favour of strike action on Tuesday, while just under 3,000 voted against. The medics have already taken industrial action 11 times since 2022, crippling services and forcing health bosses to cancel an estimated 1.5million appointments. They were offered a 5.4 per cent pay rise in May following a review of public sector pay. The increase, recommended by an independent pay review body, was above the rate of inflation, which jumped to 3.5 per cent in April, the highest since January 2024. But union leaders labelled the uplift an 'insult to doctors' and said a pay lift of 29.2 per cent was vital to reverse 'pay erosion' since 2008. BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt today said: 'We met Wes Streeting (pictured) yesterday and made every attempt to avoid strike action by opening negotiations for pay restoration. Unfortunately, the Government has stated that it will not negotiate on pay, wanting to focus on non-pay elements without suggesting what these might be. Without a credible offer to keep us on the path to restore our pay, we have no choice but to call strikes. No doctor wants to strike, and these strikes don't have to go ahead. If Mr Streeting can seriously come to the table in the next two weeks we can ensure that no disruption is caused. The Government knows what is needed to avert strikes. The choice is theirs.' He said: 'I wrote to the BMA this morning to offer to meet their committee and work with them to improve the working lives of resident doctors. Instead of talking, they've announced strikes. No trade union in British history has seen its members receive a 28.9 per cent pay rise only to immediately respond with strikes, and the majority of BMA resident doctors didn't vote to strike. This is completely unreasonable. The NHS recovery is hanging by a thread, and the BMA are threatening to pull it. The BMA should abandon their rush to strike and work with us to improve resident doctors working lives instead.' A recent YouGov poll also found 48 per cent of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike, while 39 per cent support them taking action. YouGov said this 'marks a shift in opinion' of public support of striking junior doctors last summer, when the majority of Britons—52 per cent—said they supported the action. The five day action also threatens to undermine Sir Keir Starmer's key ambition to cut waiting lists and could leave the government's new 10 Year Health Plan, unveiled last week, in tatters. NHS bosses yesterday revealed they were dreading the prospect of the strikes, warning they would lead to tens, if not hundreds of thousands of operations and procedures being delayed or cancelled, 'leaving patients in pain or discomfort'. Hospital consultants, who are currently being balloted on strike action, have already threatened to join resident doctors on the picket lines, if they too vote in favour of action. Last September BMA resident doctor members voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3 per cent on average over two years. The review of public sector pay in May also saw resident doctors given a 4 per cent uplift plus £750 'on a consolidated basis' - working out as an average pay rise of 5.4 per cent. The BMA call for a 29.2 per cent raise is based on Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, the measure of average changes in the price of goods and services used by most households. There are around 77,000 resident doctors in England who work in various settings from GP surgeries to hospitals. Resident doctor is a catch-all term for all doctors in training ranging from graduates to medics with a decade of experience.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS NHS summer chaos ahead as junior doctors vote to go on strike - could your treatment be affected?
Resident doctors have today overwhelmingly voted to strike, firing the starting gun on a Labour summer of discontent. British Medical Association (BMA) officials announced 90 per cent of those balloted—previously known as junior doctors— voted in favour of taking action. The move could see the NHS face six months of disruption, with walks outs lasting until January next year. Many resident doctors were offered a 5.4 per cent pay uplift in May following a review of public sector pay. The increase, recommended by an independent pay review body, was above the rate of inflation, which jumped to 3.5 per cent in April, the highest since January 2024. But union leaders labelled the uplift an 'insult to doctors' and said a pay lift of 29.2 per cent was vital to reverse 'pay erosion' since 2008. BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt today said in a statement: 'Doctors have spoken and spoken clearly: they won't accept that they are worth a fifth less than they were in 2008. 'Our pay may have declined but our will to fight remains strong. 'We now find ourselves at a crucial crossroads. Last year when in opposition Mr Streeting said that the solution to strikes was to talk to resident doctors – it was as true then as it is now. 'He made a point of acting quickly to grasp the issue and negotiate a solution. 'Only a few weeks ago he again said he wanted to get back round the table with us. 'Now we will see if he can once again make the right decision – he needs to come forward as soon as possible with a credible path to pay restoration.' They added: 'All we need is a credible pay offer and nobody need strike. 'Doctors don't take industrial action lightly – but they know it is preferable to watching their profession wither away. 'The next move is the Government's. Will it repeat the mistakes of its predecessor? Or will it do the right thing and negotiate a path to full pay restoration and the restoration of doctors' confidence in our profession's future?' Last month, health secretary Wes Streeting said walkouts should be the last resort, with warnings they would be 'immensely disruptive for patient care'. Mr Streeting also pointed out that the average 5.4 per cent award for resident doctors is the highest in the public sector He pointed out that the average 5.4 per cent award for resident doctors is the highest in the public sector. Commenting on the announcement today, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: 'Resident doctors voting for more industrial action after the largest series of pay awards in the public sector is a troubling development. 'Further strikes are the last thing health leaders wanted and could result in tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of operations and procedures being delayed or cancelled, leaving patients in pain or discomfort.' He added: 'Our members will continue to try to provide the best care possible and maintain patient safety during any industrial action. 'But it's vital that the BMA also reflect on the way in which their last strikes were conducted to see if they can find better responses to requests for help.' A recent YouGov poll also found that 48 per cent of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike, while 39 per cent support them taking action. YouGov said this 'marks a shift in opinion' of public support of striking junior doctors last summer, when the majority of Britons—52 per cent—said they supported the action. Last September, BMA members voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3 per cent on average over two years. The review of public sector pay in May also saw resident doctors given a 4 per cent uplift plus £750 'on a consolidated basis'—working out as an average pay rise of 5.4 per cent. The BMA call for a 29.2 per cent uplift is based on Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, the measure of average changes in the price of goods and services used by most households. There are around 77,000 resident doctors in England who work in various settings from GP surgeries to hospitals. Resident doctor is a catchall term for all doctors in training ranging from graduates to medics with a decade of experience.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Resident doctors vote in favour of strike action
The NHS could face six months of disruption after resident doctors in England voted in favour of strike action. Some 90% of voting resident doctors in England, formerly known as junior doctors, said they would down their stethoscopes and take to picket lines amid an ongoing row over pay. The British Medical Association (BMA) said that there was a turnout of 55%. The union has said that resident doctors need a pay uplift of 29.2% to reverse 'pay erosion' since 2008/09. It said that there is 'still time to avert strike action' as it urged the Government to 'come forward as soon as possible with a credible path to pay restoration'. BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt said in a statement: 'Doctors have spoken and spoken clearly: they won't accept that they are worth a fifth less than they were in 2008. 'Our pay may have declined but our will to fight remains strong. 'We now find ourselves at a crucial crossroads. Last year when in opposition Mr Streeting said that the solution to strikes was to talk to resident doctors – it was as true then as it is now. 'He made a point of acting quickly to grasp the issue and negotiate a solution. 'Only a few weeks ago he again said he wanted to get back round the table with us. 'Now we will see if he can once again make the right decision – he needs to come forward as soon as possible with a credible path to pay restoration.' They added: 'All we need is a credible pay offer and nobody need strike. 'Doctors don't take industrial action lightly – but they know it is preferable to watching their profession wither away. 'The next move is the Government's. Will it repeat the mistakes of its predecessor? Or will it do the right thing and negotiate a path to full pay restoration and the restoration of doctors' confidence in our profession's future?' The ballot gives resident doctors a mandate for strike action until January 2026. A fresh bout of walkouts could cause severe upheaval across the health service. Previous strikes by resident doctors and other staff groups saw some 1.5 million appointments, procedures and operations postponed as a result. The news will come as a blow to the Government after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's 'plan for change' pledged that by July 2029, 92% of patients will be seen within 18 weeks for routine hospital treatment such as hip and knee replacements. The waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England is currently at its lowest level for two years, according to the latest figures, with an estimated 7.39 million treatments waiting to be carried out at the end of April. In September, BMA members voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3% on average over two years. And the 2025/26 pay deal saw resident doctors given a 4% uplift plus £750 'on a consolidated basis' – working out as an average pay rise of 5.4%. The BMA call for a 29.2% uplift is based on Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, the measure of average changes in the price of goods and services used by most households. There are around 77,000 resident doctors in England who work in various settings from GP surgeries to hospitals. Resident doctor is a catchall term for all doctors in training ranging from graduates to medics with a decade of experience. Resident doctor members of the BMA have taken industrial action 11 times since 2022.
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Regrettable that BMA let slip medics are excited for new strikes
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said it is 'regrettable' the British Medical Association (BMA) 'let slip' that resident doctors are feeling excited by the prospect of more strikes. He told the PA news agency that union members 'could be round the table working together' rather than on picket lines. Doctors in training, formerly known as junior doctors, are currently being balloted on whether or not to stage further walkouts, with the vote closing on July 7. Speaking at the BMA's annual representative meeting in Liverpool on Tuesday, Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chair of the union's resident doctors committee, suggested that 'people are excited to go again'. He then corrected this to 'energised' when pressed. He said: 'Excited as in energised. Not excited as in looking forward to it.' Mr Streeting told PA: 'I don't think the resident doctors on the front line are excited by the prospect of strike action. 'I don't think that people want to be out on picket lines. 'And I think it's regrettable that the BMA to be honest let slip that they're feeling excited.' Previous strikes by resident doctors have taken place 11 times since 2022, leading to almost 1.5 million appointments being cancelled or rescheduled. Members of the BMA voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3% on average over two years last September. The Government also committed to working with the union to streamline how resident doctors report any additional hours they work. Dr Nieuwoudt said on Tuesday that doctors in training 'want to push for change', but 'their cries have fallen on deaf ears'. He said that while Mr Streeting gave medics 'a good deal that could stop the strike action at the time', which included promises about a 'genuine pathway' towards restoring pay, this has not happened. Mr Streeting told PA: 'I just remind the BMA that they've got in me, someone who not only wants to work with them, has already worked with them to deliver a 28.9% pay rise for resident doctors for the last three years, and shares their anger about the experiences of frontline resident doctors in terms of how their treated at work. 'Their placements, their rotations, their ability to take time off, the lack of hot food facilities overnight. 'So rather than be out on the picket line, we could be round the table working together to sort this out and to and to improve the NHS. And that's what I want us to do together.' The co-chairs of the BMA's resident doctors committee, Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Nieuwoudt, said in a statement: 'The Health Secretary has been refusing to meet with us since he announced this year's disappointing pay award, so it's good to hear that he would now like to get round the table. 'We'll be expecting to start negotiations on July 8th, when our ballot will have closed and there will be no excuse not to meet.'
