NHS Leaders Preparing For Strikes But Not Too Late For Junior Doctors To Call Them Off
One of the country’s most senior doctors, Professor Philip Banfield, has said that despite calling an election, the Prime Minister still needs to answer for the ‘empty promises,’ that have resulted in junior doctors in England calling another strike for later this week.
In a speech Professor Banfield spoke of the terrible impact on doctors of the Government’s cuts in spending and investment, doctors fears of speaking out about patient safety issues and how the use of physician associates – who are not qualified doctors – are putting the profession and patient care at risk.
Professor Banfield, the BMA Chair of Council said that,
‘it will be deeds, not words, that will guide our relationship with any new Government’ and there is a need to reset the way doctors across the UK are treated by Government and employers.
Earlier this month junior doctors have gave Prime Minister Rishi Sunak one last chance to avert upcoming planned strikes by committing to a pay deal.
In the letter sent to Mr Sunak the BMA junior doctors committee co-chairs Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi point out that waiting lists have been rising in recent months while no strikes have taken place, even as the PM attempts to blame strikes for his failure to reduce them.
“We are not asking for the world,” continues the letter. “A doctor currently starts on £15.53 per hour and we are asking for that to be restored to what a doctor was worth in 2008, which would be £21.58 per hour.” They remind the PM the process could process could happen over time rather than in one go.
Commenting on the strike Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:
“While we fully understand the genuine grievances junior doctors have over their pay, conditions and training, NHS leaders will still be frustrated that they will yet again be taking to the picket lines. Holding strikes in the middle of an election campaign when no political party is in a position to bring the dispute to a close is a bitter pill to swallow for staff who have to plug the gaps and patients who will have their appointments cancelled or delayed.
“The BMA should also explain what allowances they will be making for organisations and patients affected by the recent serious cyber attacks.
“With both main parties pledging to restart negotiations immediately upon forming a new government there is no reason for these strikes to go ahead. We would urge the BMA to wait for a new government to be formed and try to find a compromise.
“Our members will continue to try to provide the best care possible and maintain patient safety. After more than 18 months of industrial action leaders and their teams have better plans in place to fill rota gaps, but there are always concerns when so many staff down tools.
“But there is no doubt that these five days of industrial action will lead to more appointments and operations being cancelled and will further jeopardise attempts to tackle care backlogs and improve performance. This is what NHS leaders and their teams want to be focusing on, not filling staffing gaps or rescheduling delayed appointments.”
