Junior doctor members of HCSA, the hospital doctors’ union, today urged the Scottish Government to table a new pay offer as the union announced a historic first ever strike in Scotland.

The walkout next month will see a full stoppage of work for 72 hours from 7am on 12th July to 6.59am on 15th July.

This follows a vote by 67 percent of members to reject the Scottish Government’s recent pay offer.

HCSA, the only union dedicated solely to hospital doctors and a Scottish Trades Union Congress affiliate, is calling on the Scottish Government to intervene urgently with a new deal.

HCSA Scotland representative Dr Alanah Proctor said:

“Now is the last chance for the Health Secretary to get real on junior doctor pay before an all-out strike.

“We cannot keep going on at this rate. Junior doctors are being asked to do more for less, and to work harder as our pay is slashed in real terms. Colleagues are leaving for better pay and working conditions abroad.

“Striking is not an easy choice for doctors, but we cannot sit on the side lines and watch the NHS suffer.

“The Scottish Government needs to intervene now.”