Hundreds of thousands suffer new NHS strikes as more than half a million surgeries and appointments will be canceled when junior doctors walk out this month
- BMA strikes will cancel 250,000 procedures, according to NHS chiefs
- The four-day strike begins next Tuesday and is the longest BMA strike to date
The impending strike by young doctors means that more than half a million surgeries and appointments will have been halted by strikes. health service Chefs warned last night.
The impact of the doctors’ action this month will cancel about 250,000 procedures, according to “conservative” estimates.
Added to around 300,000 cancellations since the NHS union action began in December, more than 550,000 procedures and appointments will have been put on hold.
Many patients will be called today to be told their surgeries are being cancelled. The backlog of pending proceedings is a record 7.2 million.
The four-day strike, which begins next Tuesday, is the longest yet, with the Easter weekend adding to the pressure on the NHS. Young doctors also walked out last month.
Impact of doctors’ action this month will cancel about 250,000 procedures, according to ‘conservative’ estimates
Many patients will be called today to be told their surgeries are being cancelled. The backlog of pending proceedings is a record 7.2 million
Matthew Taylor, CEO of the NHS Confederation, which represents the hospital trusts, wrote in The Times: ‘The impending doctors’ strike will put patients at risk and be a serious blow to the NHS’s efforts to tackle treatment backlogs.’
The British Medical Association has been criticized for advising members not to tell NHS bosses if they were going on strike.
Hospitals are drawing up plans to provide care during the strike, but not knowing which doctors plan to strike makes this more difficult.
A guide to strikers on the BMA website states, “You shouldn’t tell your trust when you strike.”
Tory MP Paul Bristow, who sits on the House of Commons health committee, said it was “morally reprehensible” and added: “For BMA leaders, it is no longer about trying to get the best deal for members. it’s about bringing down the government. ‘
Mr Taylor said many consultants who would normally fill the gaps will be gone by Easter.
Those taking part expect to get the going rate from the BMA to cover, putting further strain on the NHS’s budgets.
On top of that, the NHS is under pressure with 124,000 vacant posts.
More than 60,000 junior doctors are expected to strike as they demand a 35 percent pay rise.
The basic salary for a basic year trainee doctor is £29,384, but those with specialist training earn £40,257 to £53,398.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay has successfully led pay negotiations with the Royal College of Nursing, which has now presented a £4bn pay deal to its members in a vote due to expire on April 17.
A BMA spokesperson said: ‘In England there is no legal obligation for an employee to tell his employer if and when he is taking industrial action. The BMA has provided NHS Trusts with all the information required by law on industrial action.”