Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins
Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins
England’s resident doctors are launching a six-day strike starting at 07:00 BST on Tuesday, marking their 15th prolonged dispute over compensation. The walkout is anticipated to impact NHS operations significantly, as these doctors constitute almost half of the medical workforce. To mitigate the effects, senior medical professionals are being temporarily assigned to emergency roles, though some scheduled procedures and consultations will still be postponed.
The strike by British Medical Association (BMA) members follows failed negotiations between the government and the medical union last month. The NHS has advised patients to prioritize urgent care, recommending the use of emergency services like 999 and 111. Those with non-urgent appointments are encouraged to attend unless notified otherwise. GP services, however, appear largely unaffected by the disruption.
Impact on Patients
Adrian Emery, a 55-year-old from Nottinghamshire, is among those affected. He was set to attend a virtual consultation on Tuesday to assess his medication after experiencing multiple mini strokes, or TIAs, in January. His hearing has been impacted, and the appointment was initially postponed to mid-June. Now, it has also been canceled, leaving him uncertain about future care. “I’m very worried,” he said, “because my grandfather actually had a very serious stroke. I hope I don’t have a full stroke before I am seen.”
Pay Dispute and Union Position
Despite a 33% pay increase over the past four years, the BMA contends that doctors still face a fifth in real-term pay cuts compared to 2008, factoring in inflation. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctor committee, expressed regret over the disruption, stating, “It’s very regrettable and I am very sorry to any patients who are affected by this industrial action.” He emphasized that the pay demands were reasonable, given the cumulative effect of financial reductions and the likelihood of further inflation due to the Iran conflict. Fletcher noted that strike action could have been avoided with government willingness to negotiate.
Government’s Counterarguments
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care defended the pay offer as “generous,” criticizing the BMA for proceeding with the strike. The government maintains that the recent 3.5% raise was the most substantial in public sector history, resulting in starting salaries exceeding £40,000 and senior doctors earning up to £76,500. Additional earnings are available for working unsocial hours or overtime. However, the government has since rescinded plans to create 1,000 new posts in the summer, a move made after the BMA’s announcement of strike action.
Meanwhile, the BMA’s own staff are embroiled in a two-day walkout, led by GMB union members including administrative workers and negotiators. They have been offered a 2.75% pay increase this year, but claim their salaries have dropped 17% since 2012. The government has also contested the BMA’s claim of inflation-adjusted pay cuts, pointing out that the RPI index, which underpins the calculation, is typically higher than other measures. This index is used by the government for student loan interest calculations.