Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, in England have voted to go on strike over what they describe as a pay offer that makes "no meaningful progress" towards fair and attractive remuneration.
The decision to take industrial action was passed, with 90% of those who took part voting to proceed with strikes.
The walk-outs could last until January of next year, the British Medical Association (BMA) has announced.
It comes after the government’s pay review body announced its recommendation of a 4% pay increase plus a one-time payment of £750 in 2025/6 for all resident doctors.
Although the BMA said this somewhat mitigates the effects of rising costs, it stressed that when you take into account inflation, this offer is rendered meaningless and makes too little progress towards their ultimate goal of full pay restoration.
The ballot opened on May 27 and closed on Monday.
All BMA resident doctor members employed by NHS organisations were eligible to vote.
Trade union ballots require a turnout of 50% of eligible voters to be considered to have support for industrial action.
