England’s Doctors Begin Five-Day Strike Over Pay Dispute, NHS Faces Disruption
England’s Doctors Begin Five-Day Strike Over Pay Dispute, NHS Faces Disruption
Thousands of doctors across England’s state-funded National Health Service (NHS) have commenced a five-day strike over pay, a move the government warns will severely disrupt patient care nationwide. The industrial action, which began today, sees resident doctors – crucial to hospital and clinic operations – on picket lines after negotiations with the government collapsed.
The British Medical Association (BMA) union states its members are seeking a pay raise to counter a significant 20% real-terms pay cut since 2008. They highlight disparities, noting that a doctor’s assistant can earn up to 30% more than a resident doctor. Conversely, the government maintains doctors have already received an average 28.9% increase and is unwilling to offer more, though it remains open to discussions on improved working conditions.
The NHS has confirmed that emergency departments will remain open, with efforts underway to maintain as many scheduled appointments as possible. However, the strike is expected to exacerbate existing backlogs that accumulated post-COVID-19. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged doctors to return to work, stating, “Most people do not support these strikes. They know they will cause real damage,” and expressing concern for patients whose lives and long-term health could be blighted by delayed treatment and diagnoses.
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