Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins

Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins

Starting at 7:00 BST on Tuesday, resident doctors in England will embark on their 15th strike in a prolonged pay disagreement. This industrial action is anticipated to disrupt NHS services, as these doctors constitute almost half of the medical workforce. To mitigate the impact, senior medical professionals are stepping in for emergency care, though some planned treatments and appointments may be postponed or canceled.

The British Medical Association (BMA) initiated the walkout following failed negotiations with the government last month. While the NHS urges patients to prioritize urgent care by using emergency numbers 999 and 111, it advises against delaying non-urgent visits unless instructed otherwise. GP services appear less affected, but the broader consequences of the strike are still significant.

A patient’s concern amid the strike

Adrian Emery, 55, from Nottinghamshire, faces uncertainty after his scheduled telephone appointment was canceled. The session was meant to assess his medication following several mini strokes—TIAs—in January, which caused hearing issues. Originally rescheduled for mid-June, the appointment has now been scrapped, leaving him anxious about his health.

“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 told BBC News.

Pay dispute and real-term reductions

Despite a 33% salary increase over the past four years, the BMA contends that resident doctors still earn 20% less in real terms than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctor committee, acknowledged the disruption but defended the demand for higher pay. He argued that the strike was necessary due to prior cuts and the likelihood of further financial pressure from rising inflation linked to the Iran conflict.

Fletcher noted that the action was “wholly avoidable” if the government had engaged in negotiations. “We are not asking for pay restoration overnight,” he added, emphasizing the need for fair compensation.

The Department of Health and Social Care criticized the BMA’s decision, stating the government had offered a “generous deal.” It highlighted that the pay rises are part of the annual review process, with starting salaries exceeding £40,000 and senior doctors receiving up to £76,500. Additional earnings for unsocial hours and extra work are also factored into their income.

Government’s stance and inflation claims

The government disputes the BMA’s claim that pay is a fifth lower than in 2008, attributing this to the use of RPI as an inflation measure. While RPI is higher than other indices, the BMA argues it is justified since the government employs it for student loan calculations. Meanwhile, the BMA’s own staff are participating in a two-day strike, led by the GMB union, over pay disputes. They were offered a 2.75% raise this year, but say pay has dropped 17% since 20.

Recent YouGov polling reveals 53% of the public opposes the strikes, while 38% supports them. The government previously proposed a package including covering out-of-pocket expenses, accelerating pay progression through salary bands, and expanding speciality training posts. However, the BMA claims the offer was weakened at the last minute, leading to the decision to strike. The package’s first phase—allocating 1,000 positions—was set for summer but has been rescinded after the walkout commenced.