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The British Medical Association (BMA), the trade union and professional body for UK doctors, led 44 days of industrial action (IA) between March 2023 and June 2024, campaigning for residents’ pay restoration in the devolved nations of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.1 IA took place on a background of an NHS under unprecedented pressure; the General Medical Council (GMC) reported doctors’ satisfaction at an all-time low of 50%,2 with 42% of doctors feeling unable to cope with their workload2 and two-thirds of trainees at moderate or high risk of burnout.3 These issues formed part of the BMA’s rationale for ongoing IA,4 along with pay restoration.5 Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force personnel are prohibited from participating in IA according to the King’s Regulations.