NHS senior doctors today voted to strike in what would be the latest wave of industrial action crippling the health service.
British Medical Association (BMA) consultants voted 86 per cent in favour of a mass walkout in England in a consultative ballot.
Thousands of medics will strike in spring if a statutory ballot also comes back in favour next month.
It comes after ambulance staff called off a walkout today when members of Unite held last minute talks with the Government over the weekend.
Planned strikes today and Wednesday by the Unison and GMB unions were already paused last Friday as reps agreed to sit-down negotiations with No10.
But BMA junior doctors are still planning a three-day strike from next Monday and consultants are now threatening further action.
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Dr Vishal Sharma, chair of the BMA consultants committee, said: “In my 25 years in the NHS, I have never seen consultants more demoralised, frustrated and in despair over this Government’s refusal to support the NHS workforce and the patients they serve.
“Consultants lead the teams which provide expert care and treatment to patients, they train future doctors, they innovate to improve patient services and lead medical research.
"Millions of patients benefit from the expert care and treatment that consultants provide.
“Despite these significant contributions, the Government is refusing to listen to consultants’ concerns, driving many out of the NHS entirely.
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“If the Government truly wants to get the NHS back on track and tackle the record waiting lists, it must support the consultant workforce.”
Some 17,000 NHS consultants voted in the ballot, in a 61 per cent turnout.
The BMA described the “emphatic” result as a sign of the “strength of the anger amongst England’s senior doctors”.
It said the Government must give a “serious” proposal on pay and pensions by April 3 or else a final ballot will go ahead around April 17.
Dr Sharma said: “Our position is clear.
“We will not allow the Government to continue to degrade consultants’ pay and pensions.
“This is having a hugely detrimental impact on patient care as staffing numbers plummet and things will only worsen unless we take a stand.
“Strike action is always a last resort and we have set out a clear timeline for the Government to put a serious proposal on the table.”
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