There isn’t a precise record of this but I make it, conservatively, around 50 distinct strike actions and more than 100 days lost over the last 5 years, in NHS England and, in NHS Scotland, none, zero.

What is the situation with consultants in Scotland?

BMA Scotland has been in discussions/negotiations with the government. A recent pay offer for consultants is now being put to members in a consultative vote (not a formal strike ballot). https://www.bma.org.uk/our-campaigns/consultant-campaigns

Earlier in 2026, BMA Scotland launched a pay survey and warned that failing to improve on the independent pay review body (DDRB) recommendation could lead to formal dispute and potentially a strike ballot. However, they appear to be prioritising talks rather than immediate escalation. https://bmascotland.home.blog/2026/04/09/consultant-doctors-in-scotland-pay-survey-launch/

There is no current strike mandate or announced industrial action for consultants in Scotland (unlike the recent resident doctor strikes there, or the English consultant vote).

Why and to what extent has the situation been so different in Scotland?

In December 2025, BBC Scotland’s Lisa Summers announced gleefully:

Scotland’s resident doctors are to go on strike in a dispute over pay – the first time a national walkout has been staged by NHS workers. Their union BMA Scotland had accused the government of reneging on a commitment to restore pay to 2008 levels. With 92% of those who turned out voting in favour, strike dates have been set for 07:00 on Tuesday 13 January to 07:00 on Saturday 17 January 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjdrp9205vro

Yesterday, Health Correspondent Lisa was clearly not available (stress?) and Phil Sim (Who?) had to do it:

Scotland’s resident doctors have called off a planned four-day strike over pay. They had been set to go on the first national walkout staged by NHS workers on Tuesday, having accused ministers of going back on promises over pay. But after further negotiations, the British Medical Association union is to suspend the strike and put a fresh pay offer to members – and is recommending that it is accepted. Health secretary Neil Gray said it was “great news” which would avoid disruption to patient care. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2wgvxjkjpo

A bit grudging but hey, we know they’re upset.

How many health service strikes have there been in England and Scotland?

That’ll be 14, 0.

How many days were lost – 49 just from the resident doctors’ action.

How many procedures were cancelled just because of resident doctors strikes? Around 1.5m in England alone so, pro rata, around 150 000 in Scotland. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/07/nhs-patients-urged-to-continue-coming-forward-for-care-during-upcoming-resident-doctors-strikes/

Will the health secretaries be praised for getting on so well with their days jobs?

You can laugh now.

So, how come?

The Scottish Government has been praised by the BMA (British Medical Association), particularly in relation to pay deals for junior/resident doctors in Scotland that helped avert strikes in earlier years.The most notable instances come from 2023–2024, when the BMA described Scottish Government offers as positive and distinctive compared to the rest of the UK:

• In 2023, following intense negotiations, the BMA suspended planned junior doctor strikes and agreed to put an improved pay offer (including a 12.4% rise for 2023/24, inflation as a floor for future years, and commitments to “credible progress” toward full pay restoration to 2008 levels) to members. BMA Scotland’s chair, Dr Chris Smith, called it an “unprecedented shift” from the Scottish Government and a “serious, welcome commitment” to restoring fair pay levels. Members voted overwhelmingly to accept (around 82% in favor), and the deal was credited with avoiding strikes in Scotland while they occurred extensively elsewhere in the UK.
• In 2024, a further offer (cumulative ~11% uplift) was accepted with high support (98.2% yes vote), described by the BMA as delivering a “further step towards restoring Resident doctor pay” and building on the previous agreement. The BMA highlighted the Scottish Government’s commitment to long-term pay restoration as “key” and what “sets it apart” from other UK nations. https://x.com/i/grok?conversation=2009627321410392569