URGENT UPDATE: Hospitals across England, especially in Liverpool, are grappling with major disruptions as resident doctors strike from November 14 to November 19, 2023. The British Medical Association (BMA) demands a 26% pay increase to counteract years of wage erosion due to inflation, leaving critical services at risk amid rising winter healthcare demands.
The strike saw an alarming average of 17,236 resident doctors absent daily, significantly impacting NHS operations. Despite these challenges, the NHS successfully managed to provide care for over 850,000 patients, maintaining over 95% of planned care, a notable improvement from previous strikes.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticized the BMA for not presenting the government’s last offer, which included proposals for additional training positions and career progression, to its members for voting. “This is a critical moment for the NHS,” Streeting stated.
In response to ongoing tensions, Sir James Mackey, NHS Chief Executive, urged the BMA to return to the negotiating table, emphasizing the detrimental effects of prolonged strike action on both patients and staff. He said, “It is bad for patients, bad for staff, and bad for the NHS.”
The BMA’s Dr. Jack Fletcher indicated that a resolution could be achieved if the government addresses severe issues surrounding job availability and pay conditions. He highlighted the “absurd situation” where insufficient training posts leave many UK-trained doctors unemployed, and advocated for a realistic pay increase of “a pound an hour, in today’s money, extra each year for a first-year resident doctor,” locked in over the next few years.
As this situation develops, the NHS warns of increased strain on services as winter approaches. With healthcare demands already high, the ramifications of the strikes could extend well beyond the immediate future, affecting patient care and staff morale.
Next Steps: Both sides are urged to resume discussions to prevent further strike actions. Observers are keenly watching how the government responds to the BMA’s demands in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation, as the outcomes will have lasting implications for the NHS and its dedicated workforce.
