Today marks the beginning of the longest NHS strike in history as junior doctors participate in a six-day walkout. Nearly half of the doctor workforce in the NHS are expected to take part in the stoppage across England from 7:00 a.m. NHS officials fear the strike will severely impede routine services in some areas. The primary reason for the industrial action is the breakdown of pay talks that took place between the government and the British Medical Association last month.
The government has to come forward with a plausible offer to end the strike action that has begun across England’s junior doctors. BMA junior doctors’ leader, Dr Vivek Trivedi says they are still open to alternative offers and if discussions resume from the right foundation, they can put a stop to the strike action for the remaining days. Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins additionally states that the junior doctors must call off the strike action before resumption of negotiations. She believes that the situation demands a “reasonable and fair solution.”
A significant concern among NHS officials is the disruption of urgent areas of cancer care and maternity services and that there will be inconvenience to the GP services. In October, strike action was suspended to enable pay negotiations between the government and the BMA. The BMA resumed their actions after the December deadline passed without any resolution. The government offered a pay increase averaging 3% from January on top of the average 9% junior doctors recieived in April, however, the BMA believes this figure is insufficient. They requested an additional 35%, which can be phased in over several years.
Junior doctors in Wales are scheduled to participate in strike action later this month, while their colleagues in Northern Ireland are being balloted for action. Back in August, junior doctors in Scotland signed a pay deal that includes 12.4% pay increase in 2023/24, together with a 4.5% wage rise in 2022/23 with promises for subsequent pay raises. The strike action has become the most disruptive towards NHS in history and is estimated to have cost the UK over £2bn for a cover, planning and preparations
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