The NHS has issued a warning that patients should expect severe disruptions in hospitals over the next few days due to junior doctors and consultants staging a three-day coincident walkout in England. According to NHS England, the stoppage starting at 7 AM will create disruption in all non-emergency care. Nonetheless, the British Medical Association is promising that emergency care will be staffed with “Christmas Day” cover, which means that minimal cover will be available elsewhere. The two groups represent about four-fifths of doctors working in the hospital, but it is thought that a third of them are not likely to participate as they are not members of the British Medical Association.
Two weeks ago, the two groups went on a 24-hour joint strike for the first time before that, they had held strike action on separate days. NHS England’s medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, expressed concerns that NHS services have had insufficient time to recover from the previous action to face another three challenging days that would bring almost all the routine care to a standstill. People in need of emergency care have been advised to visit Accident and Emergency units or call 999. For other health concerns, patients should use the 111 or GP services, although disruptions may occur as some junior doctors work as GP trainees.
The industrial action has contributed to the record 7.7 million people currently waiting for hospital treatment. It has been over 100 days since the health secretary sat down with BMA leaders for pay talks, and there has been no plan for future talks. This year’s pay rise has been seen as a “final and fair” settlement by ministers, meeting and matching the independent pay review body’s recommendations. Junior doctors have an average salary ranging from £32,400 to £63,150, whereas consultants can earn up to £126,300.
In relation to public support, the latest polling from YouGov shows that 56% support junior doctors; however, 37% opposed. For senior doctors, 42 are in support and 50% are opposed. Doctors are also being balloted for industrial action in Wales, whereas in Northern Ireland, the BMA is preparing to hold industrial action
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