The British Medical Association (BMA; the doctors union) has recommended the following hourly rates when consultants cover junior (now called resident) doctors shifts in the forthcoming junior doctors’ 5-day strike (25-30th July 2025). They will need to do these shifts to cover the junior doctors’ work in hospitals:
So, for an 8 hour overnight shift they can earn 8 x £313 = £2504.
Most of the public would find this excessive – especially when they may ask for it on top of their very large salary (£105,504 to £139,882 per year), and cancelling their elective work (which is exactly what juniors want them to do, to empower the strike).
https://www.bma.org.uk/media/uyyfxioj/20250282-consultant-rate-card.pdf
The stance of hospital consultants on the strike, may vary depending on several factors, including their professional associations, personal views, and local circumstances.
Some consultants might support the strike due to shared concerns about working conditions, pay, or healthcare policy; whilst others might oppose it due to concerns about patient care or worsening waiting lists.
Consultant support could manifest in various ways, such as:
