The Battle is Over... But does the War Continue?

The Battle is Over… But does the War Continue?

Why ‘Regroup and Rebuild’ was the BMA’s Recommendation for the Junior Doctors pay dispute?

After 11 rounds of strike action, 66% of the BMA's resident doctors have voted to accept the government’s pay offer with a 69% voter turnout.

As we know, the pay uplift over these past two years of the dispute will be an average of 22.3% (depending on your grade). This is an above-inflation pay rise for the years 23/24 and 24/25. However, in real terms, this still leaves doctors 20.8% behind 2008 pay based on the RPI (Retail Price Index) and 8.6% behind based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index).

Closing this gap will require at least two more years of pay rises of around 6% - a target that remains achievable even when viewed through a pessimistic lens.

For the 34% who voted against the deal, disappointment is entirely understandable. But it’s important to remember that democracy has spoken, and many of those who voted “yes” likely share the same goal of full pay restoration (FPR). They just differ on the strategy to get there. From the outset, the BMA was clear that FPR wouldn’t be achieved in one fell swoop.

We can’t ignore our Chancellor’s recent comments about the “economic black-hole” facing the government and the desire to close the books to instil confidence in national markets and establish their economic credibility. So getting more from these funds will take serious leverage. How do we get this leverage? Prolonged strike action is one way - but as we saw during the last rounds, engagement waned with each strike.

Many doctors were understandably concerned about time out of training or financial worries. The leverage that the union has will only come through collective action. So in light of this, there is a huge benefit to regrouping and increasing our workplace power so that the union can come back stronger at any time necessary.

Here’s the thing you’ve all heard before, but it cannot be stressed enough: unity is absolutely key.

Staying with the BMA ensures doctors still have a strong voice advocating for their rights. The union is now stronger than ever, and weakening it only reduces its ability to fight for future improvements. We all remember 2016 - infighting and a lack of a unified message derailed progress. Let’s not go back there.

The current trade dispute for the years 23/24 and 24/25 has ended, but this is not the end to full pay restoration...

Right, so we aren’t exactly resident—we rotate constantly—but let’s face it, this title change is still a welcome step forward.

Titles matter, and “junior doctor” comes with baggage. Sure, some of our FY1s may find comfort in the title displaying the fact they are new to the wards, but calling everyone from FY1s to ST7s “junior” just doesn’t fit. We are experienced professionals with CVs to match, it’s time that was fully acknowledged.

Patients often don’t understand the hierarchy or the requirements to become a doctor and “junior” can make them take us less seriously. This is a reality that few can deny. The respect we expect from others starts at how we perceive ourselves.

“Resident doctor” might not be definitionally perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.

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Plant those Seeds: Let’s Talk Pensions

 The retirement game we all need to plan for

Let’s talk pensions—specifically, the 2015 NHS pension scheme. For those in this newer scheme (sorry, 1995/2008 folks), you’re entitled to your full pension at the age of 67, which just so happens to be the state pension age. But if you’re eyeing an early exit of swapping scrubs for sandals at 55—there’s a catch. Retiring before 67 means a reduced pension, and the earlier you go, the more of a dent you’ll see.

For example, if you hang up the stethoscope 10 years early at 57, expect your pension to shrink down to 62.7% of its full value (thank you, 2024 NHS pension factsheet).

But here’s the silver lining: The size of your final pension pot depends on the contributions you’ve been making throughout your working life. The bigger the pot, the more wiggle room you’ll have to retire earlier without feeling the pinch quite as much. Think of it like growing a tree—the more time and care you invest, the more of a shade (aka pension) you’ll have to enjoy.

So, staying in the scheme and contributing consistently isn’t just a good idea—it’s your ticket to potentially retiring on your own terms. Many Doctors forget that NHS pension scheme members also receive tax relief on these pension contributions. Early retirement planning is crucial, because who knows what the future holds? But one thing’s for sure: having the financial freedom to clock out when you choose to is invaluable.

In short, keep planting those pension seeds. Your future self will thank you.

“Not me, but a ward clerk got weapon-datixed by the staff nurse that didn't like her. The datix details? Didn't hold the door open for her, forcing a hostile environment apparently.”

“Wanting to be 100% certain is not the correct expectation in medicine. Keep that in mind, ask a lot of questions, think for yourself and it will be okay”

“To all the folks clutching those bleeps: If you don’t know the answer, PLEASE don’t panic. Just take a deep breath and say, ‘I’ll call you back.’ Hit the snooze button on your brain”

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In Defence of Nuance

For those of us who enjoy a little nuance (and yes, I’m talking to our beloved ‘on-call’ community), the modern world of soundbites and 280-characters can feel a bit… isolated.

Let’s face it: life, like medicine, isn’t neatly divided into “100% right” or “100% wrong” categories. If only it were that simple, we’d all have much more time for sleep. So, as we navigate our way through the grey zones, let’s embrace the complexity—because we know better than anyone that there’s always more to the story than a quick soundbite can capture!