Almost half of of the British public oppose resident doctors going on strike, a new poll suggests.

Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, in England are being balloted for strike action by the British Medical Association (BMA).

If they choose to strike then walk outs could last for six months.

A new poll of 4,100 British adults by YouGov found that 48% of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike, while 39% support them taking action.

YouGov said this “marks a shift in opinion” of public support of striking junior doctors last summer, when the majority of Britons – 52% – said they supported it.

It highlighted how Labour supporters were most supportive of strike action, with Conservatives expressing the strongest opposition.

Resident doctors said their pay has declined by “23% in real terms since 2008”.

If they choose to go on strike then walk outs could begin in July and could potentially last until January 2026.

A leading patients’ organisation said it was “deeply concerned” about the prospect of strike action over the busy winter period in the NHS.

The Patients Association highlighted how previous strike action from doctors in training led to 1.3 million appointments, procedures and operations being postponed, with the true figure “likely to be much higher”.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Tuesday: “I understand the anxiety and anger that resident doctors have felt and continue to feel about their part of the profession – over 14 years, they saw the NHS that they were working in slide into crisis.

“That’s why, within weeks of coming into office, I was determined to resolve the pay dispute and give resident doctors a substantial pay rise. That’s now being followed by another above-inflation average pay award of 5.4%.

“The result is that resident doctors have seen their pay increase by 28.9% compared to three years ago. The average starting salary of a full-time resident doctor is now around £38,800 – up nearly £9,500 since 2022/23.

“I want to work in partnership with resident doctors to deliver the change that the NHS is crying out for.”

48%
of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike
YouGov

The ballot will close on July 7.

BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt said in a statement: “Patients are all too aware how much the NHS relies on its resident doctors.

“With the announcement of yesterday’s ballot, many will understandably be concerned about how future strike action might affect them getting care but it’s important to stress that strike action is not inevitable and can be avoided.

“The Government has the power to honour its previous commitment to map out and restore doctors’ pay, avoiding strikes entirely.

“We’re confident that patients will recognise that the value of doctors has not diminished since 2008, but that working conditions and pay have.

“Wes Streeting must now step forward with a solution that allows us to stay with our patients, off the picket lines, and remain in this country rather than being driven to seek work abroad where doctors’ unique skills and expertise are more appropriately valued.

“As the population ages and care becomes more complex, we need to make sure we retain doctors in the UK.”