Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients

Don’t Delay Care During Doctors’ Strike, NHS Advises

The NHS has urged patients to proceed with their scheduled treatments without hesitation as resident doctors in England prepare to embark on a six-day strike. This action, the 15th in a prolonged dispute over wages and career prospects, is set to begin on Tuesday following the collapse of pay talks at the end of March. NHS leaders warn that the post-holiday surge in demand could strain services, but they stress that most care will continue uninterrupted.

Strike Timeline and Coverage

Approximately 100,000 doctors will participate in the walkout, scheduled from 07:00 BST on Tuesday to just before 07:00 on Monday, 13 April. While the strike is underway, senior medical staff will step in to manage patient needs. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the strikes as “disappointing” but emphasized the importance of minimizing disruptions to healthcare operations.

“The NHS is still open for business and there are still plenty of people there available to care for you,” said Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe, NHS England’s national clinical director for critical and perioperative care.

Moonesinghe highlighted the NHS’s preparedness, noting that “tried and tested systems” ensure services remain operational during industrial action. She advised patients to attend planned appointments unless informed of delays and to seek emergency care through A&E, 111, or 999 as usual. For non-urgent conditions, she recommended visiting a GP or local pharmacy.

Union Criticisms and Pay Dispute

The British Medical Association (BMA) expressed concerns about the potential for disruption, despite NHS assurances. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, noted that while senior doctors are covering shifts, they are “exhausted and as demoralised as we are.”

“Many senior doctors will be covering for us and whilst that of course benefits patients, we know they are also exhausted and as demoralised as we are,” said Dr. Jack Fletcher.

The BMA had previously accepted a 3.5% pay rise from an independent review, which raised resident doctors’ salaries by a third in four years. However, they argue that real-term pay remains lower than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation. The union uses the RPI measure of inflation, the same metric the government applies to student loans, to highlight this disparity.

Government Adjustments and Training Places

Following the strike announcement, the government reversed a key part of its offer by removing 1,000 additional training positions. The Department of Health and Social Care stated the plan was no longer financially viable, though they confirmed the posts would be filled from existing temporary roles. This adjustment did not affect the overall number of NHS doctors.

Alongside the training places, the government had also promised to cover expenses like exam fees and accelerate pay progression through five salary bands. The pay scale starts at just under £39,000 and increases to nearly £74,000. The BMA, however, criticized the pay progression terms as “watered down” at the last minute, leading to the end of negotiations.