Don’t put off treatment during doctors’ strike, NHS tells patients
Don’t Delay Care Amid Doctors’ Strike, NHS Advises
The National Health Service (NHS) is urging patients to continue seeking necessary medical attention as a six-day strike by resident doctors in England begins on Tuesday. NHS leaders warn that the timing of the walkout, following the long bank holiday weekend, could lead to a sharp increase in demand, potentially straining services. They emphasize that senior doctors and those not participating in the strike will remain operational to mitigate any impact.
Tens of thousands of resident doctors—formerly known as junior doctors—have planned to walk out from 07:00 BST on Tuesday until just before 07:00 on Monday, 13 April. This marks the 15th round of industrial action in a dispute that has persisted for three years, centered on pay and career advancement. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the strikes as “disappointing,” stressing the need to safeguard patients and staff while limiting service interruptions.
Strikes and NHS Preparedness
During the previous December strikes, the NHS managed to maintain approximately 95% of its planned activities, according to officials. Despite this, the British Medical Association (BMA) has raised concerns, stating that the strikes “will bring disruption” even with assurances of service continuity. Dr. Jack Fletcher, head of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, noted that while senior doctors are stepping in, they too are facing exhaustion and low morale.
“The NHS is still open for business and there are still plenty of people there available to care for you,” said Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe, national clinical director for critical and perioperative care at NHS England. “If you have a planned appointment—unless you have been specifically told it is postponed or cancelled—attend as usual. For emergencies, contact 111 or 999, or visit A&E. For less urgent conditions, consult your GP or a local pharmacy.”
The government’s decision to withdraw 1,000 additional training places for resident doctors has drawn criticism from the BMA. This move followed the collapse of negotiations at the end of March, though the Department of Health and Social Care claimed the plan was no longer “financially or operationally” viable. The posts are expected to be filled from existing temporary roles, ensuring the NHS’s workforce remains unaffected.
Alongside the training places, the government had offered to cover exam fees and expedite pay progression across five salary bands. These bands range from just below £39,000 to nearly £74,000. However, the BMA ended talks, arguing that the pay increment terms had been diluted at the last minute. The union also pointed out that the government’s 3.5% pay rise, effective this month, still leaves resident doctors 20% behind their 2008 salaries when adjusted for RPI inflation, a metric the BMA uses to measure cost-of-living changes.
