In a significant development, consultants in England have overwhelmingly voted in favor of accepting a revised offer from the government, marking the end of their strike action.
The newly accepted deal aims to address several key issues, including the gender pay gap in medicine, while providing consultants with greater clarity regarding their pay progression arrangements. Additionally, it enhances consultants' confidence in the review body responsible for advising the government on doctors' and dentists' pay rates.
Notably, the core contract for consultants, which has remained unchanged for two decades, will undergo reforms to reflect modern working practices, including improved shared parental leave provisions aligned with those for other NHS staff.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the end of the strike action as positive news for patients, emphasizing that it will facilitate continued progress in reducing NHS waiting lists, which have seen a consecutive decrease for four months.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed appreciation for the consultants' acceptance of the offer, highlighting its fair and reasonable nature. She emphasized the deal's significance in addressing gender pay issues and enhancing parental leave options for consultants, ultimately benefiting patients and taxpayers alike.
The government and consultant unions engaged in constructive negotiations following the initial rejection of the offer, resulting in further clarity and specificity being added to the revised deal. Notably, the reforms aim to modernize the consultants' pay structure, reduce pay disparities, and mitigate the gender pay gap, aligning with recommendations from experts in the field.
To enable these reforms, agreements were reached to discontinue certain bonus schemes and practices that contributed to pay inequalities, signaling a commitment to fair and equitable remuneration within the NHS.
Looking ahead, the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will play a pivotal role in addressing existing vacancies and meeting the healthcare challenges posed by a growing and aging population. Supported by substantial government investment, the plan aims to train, recruit, and retain a larger workforce over the next 15 years.