Senior doctors balloted for industrial action in England and Northern Ireland

Consultants and specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors in England and Northern Ireland will soon decide whether they will take industrial action as part of a dispute with their governments.Both ballots—run by the BMA—opened on 11 May, with Northern Ireland’s vote also including resident doctors.Disputes in both countries focus on pay, but in England the BMA is also calling for wider changes to improve working conditions for consultants and SAS doctors.For consultants this includes more protected time to focus on innovation, teaching, and improving patient services, a reduction in standard hours, and better recognition for work done out of hours.SAS doctors need improved career progression and opportunities, the BMA’s SAS Committee said. It is also pushing for reform of the way SAS doctors are compensated for their time and improved annual leave entitlement.The BMA said consultants and SAS doctors in England had seen their pay fall by around a…