JUNIOR doctors in Scotland have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over pay, paving the way to a mass walkout within weeks unless a last-ditch deal can be struck. 

Almost 97 per cent of BMA Scotland members voted in favour of a 72-hour strike on a turnout of in excess of 71%. 

More than 5000 junior doctors were eligible to vote. 

BMA Scotland said the result offered a "clear mandate" for strike action in its ongoing efforts to reverse "unacceptable pay erosion" junior doctors in Scotland have suffered for more than a decade.

The trade union warned that unless the Scottish Government puts forward a "credible offer", junior doctors in Scotland will begin preparations for a 72-hour walkout. 

EXPLAINER: Why are junior doctors striking, and what is impact for NHS? 

Strike action could take place before the end of this month, with major ramifications for planned operations and outpatient clinics. 

BMA Scotland is seeking "pay restoration" and argues that junior doctors today are earning 23.5 per cent less in real terms that they were in 2008.  

In 2022/23, they received an uplift of 4.5%.

Dr Chris Smith, chair of the BMA’s Scottish Junior Doctors Committee, said: “This ballot result shows, beyond doubt, that junior doctors in Scotland have had enough. 

“Years of pay erosion have seen the take home salary of a newly qualified FY1 doctor decline by 23.5% in real-terms compared to 2008, and the pay of an average registrar reduced by 23.9%.

"This is simply unacceptable, and we are no longer prepared to stand aside, feeling overworked and undervalued, while witnessing so many junior doctors seeking employment abroad or outside the NHS where our considerable skills are properly valued.

“Investing in today’s junior doctors by paying them the salary they deserve is essentially making a down payment on the future of Scotland’s NHS – today’s junior doctors are the GPs, specialist doctors and consultants of the future. 

"Without a serious plan to reverse pay erosion, these doctors will go on leaving Scotland’s NHS, undermining any plans to build a sustainable NHS for generations to come."

READ MORE: Junior doctors versus the Scot Govt - who will blink first? 

A previous survey of junior doctors in Scotland found that nearly half were looking to quit the NHS, with complaints ranging from pay to workload, stress, burnout, and worries about paying for heating and food bills. 

The starting salary of a junior doctor working 40 hours per week is around £14 an hour. 

Dr Smith added: "We are not asking for huge pay increases – we are simply asking for a tangible step towards addressing the pay erosion our profession has suffered for well over a decade, combined with a clear plan for this to be reversed and restored.

“Should a credible pay offer not be forthcoming in the wake of this overwhelming mandate, our members are clear that they would have no choice but to stage a 72-hour walkout of all services across Scotland’s NHS.”

Health Secretary Michael Matheson said he was "disappointed" by the result, describing it as "in no one's interest". 

He added: "I will continue to do all I can to avert industrial action in NHS Scotland.

"Negotiations to agree a pay uplift [for 2023/24] are already underway.

"As these negotiations are held in confidence, it would be inappropriate to offer any further details at this time."

READ MORE: Why doctors are angry about their 4.5 per cent 'pay rise'

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “This overwhelming mandate for strike action shows the righteous anger of Scotland’s junior doctors. 

“It is simply unacceptable that SNP incompetence and intransigence has led to this situation.

“This result has not come out of the blue – it is the product of years of SNP failure to support junior doctors and reward them for their work.

“It is absolutely vital that in the interests of the workforce and our NHS, Michael Matheson gets round the table with the BMA and hammers out a deal.”