Doctors’ Strike to Continue Despite New Government Offer

The British Medical Association has announced that this week’s five-day doctors’ strike in England will go ahead as planned, despite a new offer from the government. The union held an online poll over the weekend, in which 83% of its members voted to continue the strike, with a voter turnout of 65%.

Background to the Dispute

The strike is the latest development in a long-running dispute between the government and junior doctors, which began in March 2023. The doctors are seeking improved pay and working conditions, while the government has offered to increase specialist training posts and cover deductibles such as exam fees. However, the offer did not include any promises on pay, with the Health Minister, Wes Streeting, claiming that he would not negotiate on this issue after junior doctors’ salaries increased by almost 30% in the last three years.

The Union’s Position

The British Medical Association argues that despite the pay increases, junior doctors’ salaries are still a fifth lower than in 2008 when inflation is taken into account. The union’s head, Dr. Jack Fletcher, said that the "overwhelming response" to the poll should leave the Health Secretary in no doubt about how much he has missed his chance to end industrial action. He added that any solution must address pay and that the union is committed to ensuring patient safety during the strike.

The Government’s Position

The government has described the salary demands as "fantasy" and warned that the strikes are "excessive, irresponsible and dangerous". The Health Minister, Wes Streeting, said that he hoped junior doctors would continue to go to work, given the pressure on hospitals due to the flu. He also claimed that the BMA chose to hold the strikes at a time when the NHS is under the most pressure.

The Impact of the Flu

The number of patients in hospital with flu has risen by more than 50% in a week, surpassing 2,600 in the first week of December. The circulating strain, H3N2, tends to cause more severe illness, and it has mutated, amid fears that people’s immunity may be weaker. This will be the 14th strike in the long-running dispute, and resident physicians will abandon both emergency and non-urgent care, with senior doctors called in to represent them.

Reaction to the Strike

Rory Deighton, from the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals, said that it is "bitterly disappointing" that the BMA has rejected the government’s offer and decided to continue with the strikes. He added that the strikes come at the worst possible time, with rapidly rising flu numbers putting enormous strain on hospitals. The strike is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. and will last for five days.