The NHS is under immense pressure as resident doctors begin a five-day strike in defiance of government demands. At least 60,000 operations and appointments could be cancelled this week, health chiefs have warned. The strike comes as a record number of superflu cases and Christmas and staff holidays coincide. This will make Christmas and New Year a difficult season for other staff.
Patients will be left with no certainty about when they will receive treatment. Patients who are admitted to hospital in the coming days will also face delays in their discharge. It is also uncertain whether they will be able to return home in time for the holidays.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock accused the British Medical Association of choosing this time to strike to cause the NHS the greatest possible disruption. Age UK charity director Caroly Abrahams said the situation would be particularly difficult for older people.
Thousands of resident doctors are on strike from 7am on Wednesday until 7am on Monday. They are demanding a 26 per cent pay rise. Working nurses have only received a rise of around 5 per cent.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has offered the British Medical Association a new offer to avoid the strike. When the offer was put out to members for comment, 83 per cent voted to reject it, she said. Streeting’s offer was to expand specialist training posts and cover out-of-pocket costs such as exam fees.
The NHS is suffering from winter pressures and an earlier-than-expected flu season. Streeting condemned the announcements by doctors who are putting patients at risk by taking an irresponsible stance at this stage.
The BMA has decided to hit the NHS with a Christmas strike at a time of crisis. They are not even prepared to postpone it until January. The BMA is not concerned about the safety of patients or the well-being of other NHS staff, Streeting accused.
