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The British Medical Association has confirmed that a five-day doctors’ strike in England, set to commence on Friday, will proceed as planned. Despite five days of discussions with the government, which focused on improving working conditions for resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, hopes for a breakthrough have been dashed. Health Secretary Wes Streeting had expressed willingness to continue negotiations if the strike was postponed, but the BMA rejected the government’s offer, highlighting better pay as a critical concern.
BMA representatives Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chairs of the resident doctors committee, conveyed their efforts to find a middle ground during discussions. They emphasized the desire to avoid strike action and emphasized the importance of a credible path to pay restoration. Despite engaging in talks in good faith, they expressed disappointment in not receiving an offer commensurate with the challenges faced by resident doctors, reiterating the core issue as a pay dispute.
Among the non-pay related matters addressed during negotiations were covering the costs of mandatory exam fees, providing doctors with greater control over their training placements, and expediting career progression post the initial two years of training. Additionally, the prospect of implementing a student loan forgiveness scheme for doctors grappling with substantial university debts was explored. While resident doctors saw a 5.4% pay rise this financial year, with a cumulative 22% increment over the past two years, the BMA asserts that wages are still approximately 20% lower in real terms compared to 2008, signaling the need for “pay restoration.” Streeting lamented the BMA’s decision to proceed with strike action, deeming it unwarranted and detrimental to patient care.
Amidst escalating tensions, the BMA expressed concerns regarding NHS England’s proposed limited cancellations of routine treatments during the strike, warning of potential harm to patients. With hospitals instructed to only cancel non-urgent care in exceptional circumstances, the BMA fears that senior doctors covering for striking resident doctors may be overwhelmed. Previous strikes witnessed substantial cancellations of non-urgent procedures to facilitate emergency services coverage. The new strategy, overseen by NHS England’s chief executive Sir Jim Mackey, aims to minimize disruptions while acknowledging the risks associated with cancelling non-urgent care. Dr. Runswick defended the fees charged by senior doctors for providing coverage during the strike, noting the need for appropriate incentives in such challenging situations
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