Junior doctors in Scotland are set to strike after rejecting a pay offer made by the Scottish government.

BMA Scotland said the three days of industrial action will go ahead on 12-15 July unless an improved offer is made.

The Scottish government offered a 14.5% pay increase over two years last month. BMA Scotland said on Tuesday that 71.1% of those who voted on a 66.3% turnout rejected the deal.

The body is now seeking an urgent meeting with Health Secretary Michael Matheson.

Dr Chris Smith, chair of the BMA’s Scottish Junior Doctors Committee, said: “Our membership has once again spoken decisively and clearly.

“It is beyond doubt that they do not consider this offer sufficient to begin the process of addressing the pay erosion we have suffered since 2008 – when pay for a junior doctor was some 28.5% higher.

“That is why today, we can confirm that we are now forced to act on the incredibly strong mandate given to us by members in our preceding strike ballot and announce a full withdrawal of labour for three days from Wednesday 12 July.”

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Dr Smith said the action was being taken reluctantly and the gap between the announcement and the walkouts would provide the health service with enough time to put a plan in place to deal with disruption and for the government to improve its offer.

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Read more:
Scottish junior doctors vote in favour of 72-hour strike action over ‘unacceptable’ pay
Scotland’s junior doctors offered 14.5% cumulative pay rise amid walkout threat
Why are junior doctors striking – and why could it be the worst NHS strike yet?

Any new package must also “convincingly provide” a way to safeguard doctors from “further pay erosion in the future”, he added.

Dr Smith claimed under the rejected offer, pay erosion would still have been “a staggering 26.5% over the last 15 years”.

He added: “We cannot go on losing doctors to countries where they feel more valued and are paid fairly. Our NHS simply won’t be here for the people of Scotland in the long term if there is not action and investment now.

“That is why our message to the Scottish government today is stark. Come back with an improved offer and we can still avert the need for strikes and the disruption they will cause us all and patients in particular.

“The ball is now firmly back in the government’s court, and I hope they respond urgently and positively.”

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