The NHS in England is warning patients of severe disruption caused by the next scheduled junior doctor strike. The doctors, members of the British Medical Association (BMA), are striking over a long-running dispute with the government over pay, pensions, and working conditions. The BMA is calling for a 35% rise to compensate for 15 years of below-inflation pay awards. The government is refusing to meet these demands, calling them unreasonable. The strike is scheduled to last for five days from Thursday and will be the 11th in the series of strikes.
The heatwave currently affecting most of the UK will heighten the pressure on the NHS during the strike. The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat-health alerts for many areas, indicating that the hot weather could pose a risk to those who are particularly vulnerable. Such weather can cause heat-stroke and exhaustion, as well as worsening existing respiratory and heart problems.
NHS England has said services will face significant pressure as a result of the strike and has urged the public to use them responsibly. Many planned hospital care, including operations and appointments, will be disrupted, and patients are likely to face cancellations. The medical director of the NHS, Sir Stephen Powis, is encouraging people to use 999 for emergencies and NHS 111 for urgent needs. He has also reminded patients that GP services and pharmacies are available and can be accessed in the usual way.
Sir Stephen has warned that the new round of strike action will hit the NHS hard, with almost all routine care likely to be affected and services put under significant pressure. However, the NHS will prioritize urgent and emergency care for patients. Patients who have not been contacted or informed that their planned appointments have been postponed are also urged to attend.
The BMA represents nearly half of the medical workforce in the UK, and junior doctors received an average pay rise of nearly 9% in the last financial year. However, the BMA is striking over the fact that these increases have been below inflation for the last 15 years. Last year the BMA walked out of talks in which an additional 3% pay rise was discussed
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