Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients
Don’t Delay Care Amid Doctors’ Strike, NHS Advises Patients
The National Health Service (NHS) has urged individuals to proceed with necessary medical attention despite a six-day walkout by resident doctors in England starting Tuesday. This marks the 15th instance of industrial action in a ongoing dispute about compensation and career prospects, which NHS administrators worry could strain services following a long weekend. They emphasized that senior physicians and other non-striking staff will remain on duty, ensuring care continues unless appointments are explicitly rescheduled.
Strike Details and Government Response
Tens of thousands of doctors will participate in the strike from 07:00 BST on Tuesday to just before 07:00 on Monday, 13 April. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the walkout as “disappointing” and highlighted efforts to safeguard patients and healthcare workers by reducing service interruptions. He noted that the NHS managed to maintain 95% of its planned activities during previous strikes in December.
“The NHS is still open for business, with enough staff available to support you,” stated Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe, national clinical director for critical care. “Patients should attend scheduled appointments unless told otherwise and seek emergency care through A&E or 999 as usual.”
Union Concerns and Pay Dispute
The British Medical Association (BMA), representing resident doctors, warned that the strikes would cause some disruption, even with assurances of service continuity. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, acknowledged that senior doctors are stepping in but noted their fatigue and shared dissatisfaction. The government had earlier withdrawn 1,000 additional training spots, citing financial and operational challenges, though the total number of doctors in the NHS remains unaffected.
Alongside the training reduction, the government had promised to cover expenses like exam fees and accelerate pay increases across five salary tiers. However, the BMA terminated negotiations, citing last-minute compromises on pay progression terms. The pay rise, at 3.5%, brings resident doctor salaries up by a third in four years, yet the union argues they are still a fifth below 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation.
“We use RPI inflation, which is higher than standard measures, to reflect how the government calculates loan interest,” explained the BMA. “This highlights the gap in real terms despite recent adjustments.”
Resident doctors, who constitute nearly half of the NHS workforce, have been central to the dispute. Their union’s stance underscores concerns about fair pay and working conditions, even as the NHS strives to maintain operations during the strike period. Patients are advised to follow their usual procedures for accessing care, ensuring services remain accessible amid the industrial action.
