Sorry it's long! A lot of stuff has happened!!!Update on the juniors actionWhat about paying back sessions?Are pensions fixed?What about pay and pay review body (pay starts at 25:54)?What's next with government/negotiations etc?As ever, find us on Twitter and ask us questions, suggest topics for discussion. @trentconsultant @vish_sharm @DLGDen @rammoorthyENT

Opening and closing dates. Just how vital turnout isWhat if 'I can't take action'Should I just vote yes anyway?This podcast is about the practicalities.For the background to why a ballot is needed at all listen to episode 6 which is a 13 minute talk on the consultative ballot. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/10-minute-talk-on-the-consultative-ballot/id1661324470?i=1000599060360 It's based on a youtube video which is here if you prefer some slides https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hu-g1tclVs As ever, please leave a review and rate the podcasts.Vote and discuss with all of your colleagues, especially the ones who you think won't vote!

This is the audio version of a youtube video here https://youtu.be/9hu-g1tclVs placed here for ease. Obviously it will be referring to graphics but it still makes perfect sense and is commute friendly.  It gives a potted and succinct reason for the ballot and exactly why you should vote yes & what you need to do as a follow up action on that vote.For the negs team talking about logistics listen to episode 7

Fix pay, fix pensions, fix the DDRB. Why, what, when and how. 30 minutes. Why we must all encourage colleagues to vote and why we want consultants to vote yes. Mike Henley, Vish Sharma, Den Langhor, Matt Waddup.

We cover how medical pay is set?Is it a negotiation with Government? How should it be set? Is it working? Is it worth keeping the mechanism?What are the alternatives?Mike Henley, deputy chair consultants committee, Den Langhor and Ram Moorthy from the negotiations team.

We worked really hard and kept it less than 30 minutes!Juniors ballotHow to send it back and whenCan you still join?Strike fundMeeting with Steve BarclayHow the discussion wentIs a strike dangerousConcerns with the DDRBAre the Government arguments against pay restoration valid?What are consultants committee doing about pensions, pay & DDRB?Will consultants ballot for industrial action?Last messages

Ok, it's long but there was a lot to discuss. Options 1. Be brave 2. Listen 1.5 speed 3. Press pause halfway through! It's good though and full of important info and insights.Why are juniors considering taking action?Why do we need to take action on pay, how does pay compare?Why not just talk to government?Is now the right time?Is the juniors fight consultants fight?What can consultants do to help?When does ballot open?Why is it vital to vote, a ballot not returned is a no!Which specialties will be balloted?What should Trusts do to mitigate?What about consultants covering juniors?How does rate card apply?Is covering juniors contractual?

Topics covered in this episodepay backgroundpay for working at the weekendsis it contractual to work in premium time?what’s happened to consultants pay?why is pay important for the profession and uk medicine?medical student debtIs it right for us to ask for more money? What about other staff members and the service?Are consultants really well paid?Is health spending just money wasted?How much of a pay award goes straight back to the Treasury?Will paying doctors fairly drive inflation?We'll return to these and other topics in more detail in subsequent episodes. Send us comments via twitter on @trentconsultant @vish_sharm @DLGden