SENIOR NHS doctors in England were balloted today on whether to take strike action over pay, conditions and career progression.

The British Medical Association (BMA) is asking consultant and specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors whether they were willing to take industrial action.

Both ballots close on July 6, following ministers announcing a 3.5 per cent pay award.

The BMA said both groups have seen pay fall by around a quarter in real terms since 2008-9.

Consultants are seeking more protected time for teaching and innovation and better recognition for out-of-hours work.

SAS doctors want improved career progression and compensation for anti-social hours.

BMA co-chairs Dr Shanu Datta and Dr Helen Neary warned that without change, the NHS risks losing senior doctors to early retirement or emigration, worsening waiting times.

Industrial action was “a last resort,” they said, but medics felt they had “no choice.”

The ballot follows six days of strikes by resident doctors in April — the 15th walkout by that group since 2023 — over a pay dispute with Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

The Department of Health called the ballot “an unreasonable and unnecessary distraction” from rebuilding the NHS.