Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients
Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients
The NHS has advised patients to continue with their essential healthcare needs as a six-day strike by resident doctors in England commences on Tuesday. This marks the 15th instance of industrial action in a prolonged dispute over remuneration and professional development opportunities. NHS leaders expressed concerns that the strike, occurring after a long bank holiday weekend, could lead to a significant increase in patient demand, potentially straining services.
According to NHS officials, senior doctors and resident doctors not participating in the strike will maintain operations, ensuring patients can attend scheduled appointments unless notified of delays. The walkout, organized by the British Medical Association (BMA), was triggered after negotiations to resolve the three-year-old pay disagreement stalled at the end of March. Over 100,000 medical professionals will be involved in the strike, scheduled from 07:00 BST on Tuesday until just before 07:00 on Monday, 13 April.
“The strikes are disappointing, but our priority is to safeguard patients and staff by keeping disruptions to a minimum,” stated Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
The BMA emphasized that the strikes would still cause some disruption, despite NHS assurances of service continuity. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, noted: “While senior doctors are covering our shifts, they are also fatigued and as demoralized as we are.” Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe, NHS England’s national clinical director for critical care, highlighted existing contingency plans: “The NHS remains operational, with sufficient staff available to meet patient needs. If you have a scheduled appointment, attend it unless told otherwise. For emergencies, follow standard procedures—call 111 or 999, visit A&E, or consult your GP or pharmacy for less urgent matters.”
Resident doctors, comprising nearly half of the NHS workforce, are predominantly affiliated with the BMA. The government’s decision to withdraw 1,000 extra training places—a key part of its previous offer—was announced after the strike plans were set. The Department of Health and Social Care argued the proposal was no longer financially or operationally viable, but confirmed the positions would be filled through existing temporary roles.
Alongside training spots, the government had proposed covering personal expenses like exam fees and accelerating pay progression across five salary tiers. The pay scale starts at just under £39,000 and rises to almost £74,000. However, the BMA terminated discussions, citing that the pay progression terms had been diluted at the last moment. The union also pointed out that the government’s 3.5% pay rise for all doctors, including resident doctors, still left their salaries 20% below 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation, using the Retail Price Index (RPI) as their benchmark.
