PM gives BMA 48 hours to call-off strike or lose 1,000 training posts

PM gives BMA 48 hours to call-off strike or lose 1,000 training posts 1 hour ago Share Save Nick Triggle Health correspondent Share Save The prime minister has given the British Medical Association 48 hours to call off the six-day doctor strike in England after Easter or face losing 1,000 extra training places. Writing in The Times, Sir Keir Starmer said the decision last week by the doctors' union to reject the deal offered to them and announce the 15th walkout of the long-running dispute was "reckless". The BMA announced the strike as it emerged doctors were to be given a 3.5% pay rise this year. The union said this was not enough given inflation is expected to rise because of the war with Iran and the fact the pay for resident doctors, previously called junior doctors, has not kept pace with inflation since 2008. Doctors announce six-day strike in England as talks break down Why are resident doctors striking and how much are they paid? Resident doctors vote in favour of more strike action The 1,000 extra training places, which were to be created this year, were part of a package of measures that would see a total of at least 4,000 extra speciality posts created over the next three years under the deal put forward by the government. Out-of-pocket expenses for things like exam fees were also to be covered, while progression through the five resident doctors pay bands was to be speeded up. …