NHS junior doctors in England begin three-day strike as patients warned of 'significant disruption'
Hospital leaders have described the walkouts as their 'worst fears realised' as junior doctors begin a three-day strike. ITV News' Sejal Karia and Pablo Taylor report
Almost half of the NHS medical workforce in England have begun three-day strike action during one of the busiest periods of the year with patients were warned of "significant disruption".
Junior doctors took to picket lines from 7am on December 20 for strikes that will last until 7am on December 23 in a major escalation in the bitter dispute over pay.
Medics described how their colleagues are “fleeing the country” and how “there won’t be any doctors left” unless pay is improved.
Hospital leaders have described the walkouts as their “worst fears realised” as they grapple with a rising number of people needing help with winter viruses, particularly norovirus.
Training medics who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) are also preparing for the NHS’ longest ever walkout, for six days from January 3.
'If we don’t act now then five or 10 years down the line there won’t be any doctors left'
Speaking on a picket line at University College Hospital in London, Dr Hamish Bain said junior doctors are leaving the NHS over the “correctible issue” of pay.
The 30-year-old said: “Every year there’s a pay review body that suggests increasing pay, and that increase in pay hasn’t reflected inflation and the cost of living – so in real terms our pay has been cut.
“I obviously appreciate that people are upset about missing elective appointments and outpatient appointments, but if we don’t act now then five or ten years down the line there won’t be any doctors left and those appointments will become much worse and much longer than they are.”
Meanwhile, Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chair of the BMA junior doctors’ committee, said "while strike action is disruptive, the public are still very much aware that the government needs to get realand meet us at the table and put an offer that will end this dispute."
“That’s the only way this dispute will end – an offer that’s acceptable to our doctors which will work towards building back the value to a doctor’s life, and be able to then retain those doctors who are otherwise fleeing to places like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland – we need to do better.”
It comes as:
– Cheltenham A&E has been forced to temporarily close at various points in the coming weeks due to strikes.
– Leading health and patient organisations warned that the strikes could lead to patients “stranded” in hospital over Christmas, despite being ready to go home.
– In a letter, Age UK, NHS Confederation, Healthwatch England, National Voices and The Patients Association also warned that the NHS would find it “extremely difficult” to maintain safe care during the walkouts.
– Health Service officials said the timing of the strikes leaves them just two normal working days in three weeks due to public holidays and strikes.
– The NHS has said emergency and urgent care will be prioritised during the strikes and that “almost all” routine care will be affected.
– NHS England’s national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis warned that the strike would cause “huge disruption” but urged people to seek care when they need it.
On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak described the strikes as “very disappointing”.
The prime minister told the Commons Liaison Committee: “The question more is for the junior doctors, as to why they are refusing to accept something that everyone else is now accepting, on top of having a pay increase which is more generous than anyone else’s set by the independent body going into this.”
Health secretary Victoria Atkins urged the BMA to call off the strikes and resume talks.
“But we know that despite these measures and the hard work of NHS staff, these strikes can cause significant disruption to patients and add extra pressure on the NHS,” she said.
“My door remains open should the BMA Junior Doctors Committee cancel these disruptive strikes and come back to the negotiating table as we were making good progress.”
Prof Philip Banfield, BMA chair of council, said: “This is the last strike action of 2023, which will have seen 28 days of action by junior doctors. The government is entirely capable of making the total for 2024 zero days – but it needs to make a serious and credible offer now that we can put to members.”
Commenting on the action, Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “Trust leaders’ worst fears have been realised – they were dreading more strikes this winter, and now junior doctors are starting a three-day full walkout. This is the last thing the NHS needs.
“Last winter was the worst that many trust leaders can remember and they’re expecting this one to be even tougher.
“We urge the Government and unions, without any preconditions, to get back round the negotiating table, break the deadlock and stop these strikes.”
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, added: “There is no doubt that these strikes are coming at the worst possible time, with the NHS entering the most difficult period of the year.
“Over the periods of industrial action patients could face longer waits, planned appointments and non-urgent treatments being rescheduled and some consolidation of services.”
The BMA announced the strike earlier this month after talks between junior doctors and the government broke down.
Junior doctors in Wales are planning a 72-hour walkout from January 15, while doctors in training in Northern Ireland are being balloted for potential strike action. Those in Scotland have already come to an agreement with the Scottish Government.
Consultant doctors from the BMA in England have reached a deal with the government, with members currently voting whether or not to accept the deal.
Specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors (SAS) in England have also come to an agreement, which is being put to members.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...