2 hours ago
Patients in England are facing warnings of service disruption as doctors begin a five-day strike. NHS leaders express concerns about their capacity to maintain services, particularly in the context of an ongoing flu outbreak. Starting from 07:00 on Wednesday, non-urgent healthcare services are expected to be impacted.
This marks the 14th strike by resident doctors, also known as junior doctors, owing to an unresolved pay dispute. Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticized the timing of the strike, saying it aimed to severely impact the NHS and patient safety, though the British Medical Association stressed their willingness to collaborate with NHS management to safeguard patients.
Despite last-minute negotiations on Tuesday, deemed ‘constructive’ by government officials, the talks did not yield enough progress to avert the strike. Resident doctors make up almost half of the NHS's workforce, and both emergency and non-urgent care will be affected during the walkout, with senior doctors stepping in to cover.
NHS England maintained most non-urgent procedures during previous strikes in July and November. However, the current circumstances, compounded by the flu season, predict more widespread disruption. Concerns are also raised about the potential impact on hospital discharge rates leading up to Christmas. Prof Meghana Pandit, NHS Medical Director, emphasized the extraordinary challenges facing the NHS, highlighting that many staff will miss their Christmas break to cover shifts.
Wes Streeting noted ongoing efforts to prevent the strike, pointing out that the holiday season already strains NHS resources. With additional pressures from the flu, the situation becomes even more demanding for NHS staff.
During the strike, General Practitioner practices will function, and urgent care services remain operational, albeit with anticipated delays. In one instance, Cheltenham General Hospital's emergency department is closed to emergencies but remains open for minor injuries, directing patients to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital instead. The public is urged to use the NHS 111 online service for urgent but non-emergency needs and to reserve 999 and A&E services for crises only.
An offer from the government, made last week, proposed increased specialty training positions and the covering of exam fees and other incidental expenses, though efforts to avert the strike remain unsuccessful.
Job Competition Concerns
Securing specialty training positions has proven intensely competitive for resident doctors, with 30,000 applicants vying for 10,000 available spots, including international candidates. Dr. Tom Twentyman, among those struggling to secure a role in emergency medicine, described the job market as a 'nightmare.' In the interim, he balances various locum shifts while applying for over 40 short-term contracts.