Disruption expected as six-day doctors' strike begins

Starting at 07:00 BST on Tuesday, resident doctors in England initiate a six-day strike, marking their 15th in an ongoing pay dispute. This action is anticipated to create significant disruption to NHS services, as resident doctors—formerly known as junior doctors—represent nearly half of the medical workforce within the NHS.

To manage the situation, senior medical professionals are being called in to provide support in emergency departments. However, this contingency plan has necessitated the cancellation of various pre-planned treatments and appointments.

This strike follows the collapse of negotiations between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA) last month.

The NHS is encouraging patients to seek necessary medical assistance without delay, reminding individuals with urgent and emergency needs to utilize 999 and 111 services as usual. Patients with scheduled appointments and treatments are advised to attend unless explicitly informed otherwise. It is worth noting that GP services remain largely unaffected by the strike.

'I'm worried'

Adrian Emery, a 55-year-old resident of Nottinghamshire, is among those impacted by the strike. He was slated to have a telephone appointment on Tuesday following a series of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in January, which have led to hearing difficulties.

The appointment was intended as a critical follow-up to assess his medication and consult with a specialist. Originally rescheduled for mid-June, this meeting has also been canceled, leaving him uncertain about when he will receive care.

"I'm very worried, because my grandfather actually had a very serious stroke. I hope I don't have a full stroke before I am seen," he shared with BBC News.

'Regrettable'

Despite having received pay increases totaling 33% over the last four years, the BMA asserts that doctors currently earn approximately 20% less than they did in 2008, when adjusted for inflation.

Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctor committee, articulated his regret over the situation, expressing, “It's very regrettable and I am very sorry to any patients who are affected by this industrial action.”

He emphasized that it is not unreasonable for doctors to seek additional remuneration given the real-terms wage reductions they have endured and the potential for further declines, particularly as inflation is projected to increase due to global factors such as the Iran war.

Dr. Fletcher stated that strike action was entirely preventable had the government been more willing to engage in negotiations. "We are not asking for pay restoration overnight," he added.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care remarked that the government had extended a "generous deal" to resident doctors and expressed disappointment in the BMA’s decision to proceed with the strike.

"Our focus, along with NHS leaders, is now on safeguarding patients, staff, and the NHS by minimizing disruption to health services."

Polling data from YouGov reveals that 53% of the public oppose the strikes, while 38% are in favor.

How did we get here?

Last month, the government proposed a package intended to resolve the dispute with the BMA; however, the union claimed that some elements had been diluted at the last moment. The proposal included coverage for out-of-pocket expenses, such as exam fees, accelerated salary progression through the five salary bands encompassing resident doctor training, and the introduction of additional specialty training posts anticipated to be available this summer.

Initially, 1,000 of these posts were planned to be created; however, they have been withdrawn following the BMA's announcement of strike action. This decision follows a competitive hiring landscape in which 30,000 candidates applied for 10,000 positions last summer, a portion of whom were international doctors.

The government maintains its stance against negotiating salary increases, having already granted resident doctors the most generous pay raises within the public sector. They recently received a 3.5% pay increase, which is uniformly applied to all doctors as part of the annual pay review process.

As a result, starting salaries have now exceeded £40,000, while more experienced doctors earn a basic salary of £76,500. Additionally, resident doctors can increase their earnings significantly through work during unsocial hours and by taking on extra shifts.

The government has challenged the BMA's claim that salaries are 20% lower than in 2008. This assertion relies on the Retail Price Index (RPI) for inflation calculations, which is often higher than other metrics. The BMA justifies its position, stating that RPI is the measure the government uses to calculate interest on student loans.

Simultaneously, BMA staff members are engaging in their own strike action, with GMB union members—comprising administrative staff, press officers, and negotiators—currently participating in a two-day strike related to pay disputes. They have been offered a 2.75% wage increase for the year, although they contend that pay has diminished by 17% since 2012 once inflation is accounted for.