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Doctors in England planning to go on strike in the run-up to Christmas are considering a new offer from the government to end the long-running dispute.
Resident doctors, formerly junior doctors, will walk out from 7am on 17 December until 7am on 22 December.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has appealed to doctors to accept the government’s latest package.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said it will consult members by surveying them online on whether or not the deal from the government is enough to call off next week’s walkout.
The poll will close on Monday – just two days before the five-day strike is set to start.
The union said the new offer includes new legislation to ensure UK medical graduates are prioritised for speciality training roles.
It also includes an increase in the number of speciality training posts over the next three years – from 1,000 to 4,000 – with more to start in 2026.
Funding for mandatory Royal College examination and membership fees for resident doctors is also part of the deal.
It does not address resident doctors’ demand for a 26% salary rise over the next few years to make up for the erosion in their pay in real terms since 2008 – this is on top of a 28.9% increase they have had over the last three years.
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