Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients
Don’t Delay Care Amid Doctors’ Strike, NHS Advises
The National Health Service (NHS) has urged patients to proceed with their required treatments without hesitation as a six-day strike by resident doctors in England begins on Tuesday. NHS officials expressed concern that the timing of the strike, following a long bank holiday weekend, could lead to a sharp increase in demand, creating significant challenges for the system.
Strike Details and NHS Response
Tens of thousands of resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, will participate in the walkout from 07:00 BST on Tuesday until shortly before 07:00 on Monday, 13 April. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the strikes as “disappointing” but emphasized efforts to safeguard patients and staff by reducing service interruptions. He noted that the NHS managed to maintain nearly 95% of planned activities during previous strikes in December.
“The NHS is still open for business, and there are still plenty of people there available to care for you. If you have a planned appointment—unless you’ve been specifically told it’s postponed or cancelled—you should attend as usual. For emergencies or urgent conditions, proceed with your normal steps: call 111 or 999, visit A&E, or consult your GP or local pharmacy for less urgent matters,” said Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe, national clinical director for critical and perioperative care at NHS England.
Union Concerns and Dispute Context
Despite NHS assurances, the British Medical Association (BMA) highlighted that the strikes “would bring disruption,” as senior doctors, though covering for their striking counterparts, are also experiencing fatigue and demoralization. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, stated: “Many senior doctors will be stepping in, which benefits patients, but they are exhausted and as demoralized as we are.”
The recent strike follows the collapse of talks to resolve a three-year pay and job opportunity dispute by late March. The government had previously offered 1,000 additional training places for resident doctors, but this provision was rescinded after the walkout was announced. The Department of Health and Social Care claimed the plan was no longer financially or operationally viable, though it confirmed the posts would be filled from existing temporary roles.
Pay Negotiations and Inflation Discrepancy
Alongside the training places, the government had also committed to covering certain out-of-pocket expenses, such as exam fees, and accelerating pay progression across five salary bands. However, the BMA ended discussions, arguing the pay progression terms were “watered down” at the last minute. The union noted that the government’s acceptance of a 3.5% pay rise for all doctors, including resident doctors, has only restored pay to levels seen in 2008 when adjusted for inflation. The BMA uses the Retail Price Index (RPI) to measure inflation, aligning with the government’s method for calculating student loan interest.
Resident doctors constitute nearly half of the NHS workforce, with two-thirds belonging to the BMA. The union maintains that the current pay rise still leaves their earnings 20% below pre-2008 levels when considering inflation. This discrepancy has fueled ongoing dissatisfaction, prompting the latest industrial action.
