Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins
Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins
Strike Begins on Tuesday
A six-day strike by resident doctors in England is set to start at 07:00 BST on Tuesday, marking their 15th demonstration in a protracted pay disagreement. The move is anticipated to create widespread delays in healthcare services, as these doctors form almost half of the NHS workforce.
Impact on NHS Services
To address the shortage, senior medical professionals are stepping in for emergency care, but this has forced the cancellation of several pre-scheduled treatments and check-ups. Patients with urgent or critical needs are advised to contact emergency services via 999 or the NHS 111 helpline as usual, while those with planned appointments should attend unless instructed otherwise. General practitioner services appear to be largely unaffected.
Reason for the Dispute
The strike follows the collapse of negotiations between the government and the British Medical Association last month. Adrian Emery, a 55-year-old from Nottinghamshire, is among those impacted. He was scheduled for a telephone consultation on Tuesday to review his medication after experiencing multiple mini strokes—TIAs—in January, which left him with hearing issues. His appointment was initially moved to mid-June but has now been postponed indefinitely.
“I’m very worried, because my grandfather actually had a very serious stroke. I hope I don’t have a full stroke before I am seen,” Emery said to BBC News.
Government’s Stance
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated the government had extended a “generous deal” to resident doctors and expressed disappointment at the BMA’s decision to proceed with the strike. The focus now is on minimizing disruption to the health service while safeguarding patients and staff.
Polling Shows Mixed Support
Recent YouGov surveys reveal 53% of the public oppose the strikes, while 38% back them. The government proposed a package of measures last month to resolve the dispute, but the BMA claims last-minute adjustments diluted its terms. The plan included covering out-of-pocket costs like exam fees, accelerating pay progression through five salary bands, and creating additional specialty roles. However, the government has since revoked the creation of 1,000 such posts.
Pay Package and Job Applications
The government insists it has already delivered the highest public-sector pay rises in recent years, including a 3.5% increase this year. Starting salaries now exceed £40,000, with senior doctors earning up to £76,500. Resident doctors also receive extra compensation for working unsocial hours. Despite this, the BMA argues real-term pay has dropped by a fifth compared to 2008 when adjusted for inflation. The government disputes this, citing the RPI inflation measure, which it claims justifies the pay comparison.
BMA’s Staff Also on Strike
Meanwhile, the BMA’s own staff are participating in a two-day strike over pay. Members of the GMB union, which includes administrative workers and negotiators, are protesting a 2.75% annual raise, citing a 17% decline in wages since 2012. This aligns with the broader dispute, as the union seeks better compensation for its workforce.
