Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients
Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients
The National Health Service (NHS) has urged patients to continue with their healthcare routines as a six-day strike by resident doctors in England commences on Tuesday. Health service leaders warn that the walkout, which marks the 15th round of industrial action in a prolonged pay and job opportunity dispute, could lead to a significant increase in demand during the week following the long bank holiday weekend.
Residents doctors, previously known as junior doctors, will participate in the strike from 07:00 BST on Tuesday until just before 07:00 on Monday, 13 April. Officials emphasize that senior doctors and those not involved in the strike will remain operational, ensuring that patients should attend appointments unless informed otherwise. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the strikes as “disappointing,” stressing the need to safeguard both patients and staff by reducing service interruptions.
Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA)’s resident doctors committee, noted that senior doctors will cover for striking colleagues. While this supports patient care, he highlighted the strain on these professionals, who are similarly exhausted and demoralized. Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe, national clinical director for critical and perioperative care at NHS England, assured that established systems would maintain service continuity during the disruption. “The NHS remains open for business,” she said during a BBC Radio 4 interview. “Patients with planned appointments should proceed as usual, and those needing emergency care should follow standard procedures.”
Resident doctors comprise nearly half of NHS medical staff, with two-thirds affiliated with the BMA. The government reversed a key part of its agreement with the doctors, eliminating 1,000 additional training spots. It cited financial and operational constraints, though the BMA argued that the move would not affect the overall number of doctors, as these positions would be filled from existing temporary roles.
The pay dispute, which has spanned three years, was reignited after talks collapsed in late March. While the government offered a 3.5% raise for all doctors, including resident doctors, the BMA claims the pay progression terms were weakened at the final moment. This pay increase brings resident doctor salaries up by a third in four years, but the union argues it still falls short of 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation using the RPI measure, which the government also employs for student loan interest calculations.
“If you have a planned appointment—unless specifically notified—it should proceed as usual. For emergencies, follow your standard response: call 111 or 999, visit A&E, or consult your GP or local pharmacy for less urgent conditions,” said Prof. Moonesinghe.