Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins
Disruption expected as six-day doctors’ strike begins
A six-day strike by resident doctors in England kicks off at 07:00 BST on Tuesday, representing their 15th protest in an ongoing pay dispute. The walkout is expected to create major delays in medical services, as these doctors—formerly referred to as junior doctors—comprise almost half of the NHS workforce. To mitigate the impact, senior medical professionals are stepping in to handle emergencies, though this has forced the cancellation of some planned treatments and appointments.
The British Medical Association (BMA) members are taking to the streets following failed negotiations between the government and the doctors’ union. The NHS has advised patients to prioritize urgent care, urging them to use emergency services like 999 and 111 as usual. Those with scheduled non-urgent visits are encouraged to proceed unless notified otherwise. GP services remain largely unaffected by the strike.
A Personal Impact
“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,”
Adrian Emery, 55, from Nottinghamshire, shared his concern. His planned telephone appointment, meant to review medication and consult a specialist after experiencing multiple TIAs in January, was rescheduled for mid-June but has now been scrapped. He remains uncertain about when he will receive care.
BMA’s Pay Argument
Despite a 33% pay increase over the past four years, the BMA claims real-term wages have dropped by a fifth compared to 2008 when adjusted for inflation. Dr. Jack Fletcher, head of the BMA’s resident doctor committee, acknowledged the disruption but defended the strike, stating it was necessary due to prior pay cuts and potential future declines linked to rising inflation from the Iran war.
He noted that the action was “wholly avoidable” if negotiations had continued, adding that the BMA is not demanding immediate pay restoration. Meanwhile, the government insists it provided a “generous deal” and expressed disappointment over the strike, emphasizing efforts to protect patients and maintain NHS operations.
Dispute Over Pay Increases
The government maintains it has already granted the highest pay rises in the public sector, with a 3.5% increase this year. Starting salaries for resident doctors now exceed £40,000, while senior staff earn up to £76,500. Additional earnings for unsocial hours or extra work are also part of their compensation. However, the government disputes the BMA’s claim that pay is 20% lower than in 2008, arguing the RPI inflation measure used is higher than others.
Latest polling from YouGov reveals 53% of the public oppose the strikes, while 38% support them. The government proposed a package last month to end the conflict, including covering out-of-pocket costs like exam fees and faster salary progression through training bands. Yet the BMA claims the offer was weakened at the last minute, leading to the strike. The initial plan to create 1,000 new posts was also withdrawn after the announcement.
Broader Strikes Within the BMA
Members of the BMA’s own staff are also participating in strike action. The GMB union, which represents administrative workers, press officers, and negotiators, is in the midst of a two-day walkout. They received a 2.75% pay raise this year, but note that wages have fallen by 17% since 2012.
