Striking consultants have apologised to sufferers who’re going through delayed or cancelled appointments attributable to industrial motion, however mentioned the federal government is in charge.
Senior docs have walked out for 48 hours from 7am this morning in an extended operating dispute over pay, and are working on a “Christmas day cover” foundation.
NHS England has mentioned the walkout will “hit the NHS hard” as many workers are additionally taking annual go away with “almost all routine care being affected”.
The authorities has insisted that talks on pay are over after it mentioned consultants would obtain a 6% rise.
The British Medical Association says the rise is insulting, and that consultants have skilled a “35% pay erosion” over the past 14 years.
Dr Den Langhor, an emergency drugs guide, mentioned the walkouts will solely cease if the federal government come again to the negotiating desk.
“We’re really sorry to patients who have had their care disrupted by this but I put the blame firmly at the door of the government,” she mentioned.
“They’re not talking to us, we will stop striking immediately if they come back to us with an offer that’s fair.”
She added: “I got here into this to take care of sufferers, that is the place I wish to be in the present day, that is the place I wish to be all the time.
“We’re at a point now where this is the last resort.”
Health Secretary Steve Barclay mentioned the typical annual earnings for senior docs quantity to round 4 occasions the nationwide common wage, on high of a beneficiant pension.
He mentioned: “We have accepted the independent pay review body recommendations in full, giving consultants a 6% pay rise, which means average NHS earnings for consultants of £134,000, on top of a pension where generous tax changes mean a consultant can retire at age 65 with a pension each year for life of £78,000 a year. This pay award is final and I urge the BMA to call an end to strikes.”
It was revealed earlier this month that NHS ready lists had climbed to a file 7.6 million.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made chopping the determine a high precedence for his authorities at first of 2023 however had beforehand mentioned strike motion, which has been ongoing throughout the NHS since December 2022, was making it difficult.
Strike motion over 9 months has led to the cancellation of 839,327 inpatient and outpatient hospital appointments.
Read extra:
Consultant strike: Everything it is advisable know
NHS strikes: What is occurring to consultants’ pay?
Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow well being secretary, mentioned: “The Conservatives have given up any attempt to solve strikes in the NHS. Rishi Sunak refuses to speak to doctors and instead shamelessly uses them as an excuse for his failure to cut waiting lists.”
Medics may also strike on 2, 3 and 4 October and are planning to stroll out on 19 and 20 of September.
Source: information.sky.com”