Hospitals Recover from Disruption Caused by Doctors’ Strikes
Hospitals in England are working to bring patients home for Christmas and recover from disruption caused by five-day doctors’ strikes. Junior doctors are returning to work after a strike over ongoing pay disputes. Thousands of elective and outpatient appointments were canceled as senior doctors were redeployed to urgent and emergency care.
Impact of the Strike
The NHS Association, which represents hospital trusts, says the full impact on patients is still being assessed. The strike continued amid rising flu cases despite short-term discussions between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government. BMA members rejected a new government offer aimed at tackling training and job security issues.
Future Negotiations
Health Minister Wes Streeting said he wanted the dispute to end by the new year. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s medical committee, said the union was interested in sitting down with Mr Streeting. He said: "In 2026 there must be less abuse and more business. What we need is an appropriate solution to this employment crisis and a credible path to restoring the lost value of the profession." This must mean creating real new jobs and could require a responsible, multi-year approach to restoring doctor salaries.
Doctors’ Union Demands
The doctors’ union said 65% of its members took part in the 14th strike since March 2023. The doctors’ union argues that due to inflation, resident doctors’ pay is still a fifth lower than in 2008. This year they received an average pay increase of 5.4%. During a visit to an ambulance station in London last week, Streeting said: "I want to end this argument." However, Streeting said the BMA is “requiring an additional 26% on top of what we have already given”. "It’s not a number we can afford, but we will sit down with them again in the new year," he added.
Long-term Effects of the Strike
Health experts have warned that the impact of the strike will be felt into the new year “and beyond”. Hospitals were now working to discharge as many patients as possible home safely for Christmas. “After five days we have a lot of very exhausted senior doctors who we now want to use to ensure we get patients out at Christmas and reduce our bed occupancy.”
Reaction to the Strike
Last week, Prime Minister described the strike as “dangerous and completely irresponsible”, particularly during a record flu season at the start of winter. During the strike, the BMA said it would work with NHS bosses to ensure safety in hospitals and other parts of the health service. While the NHS remains on high alert for the flu, the virus’s surge is slowing, at least for now. Meanwhile, practicing doctors in Scotland are on strike from January 13th to 17th. It will be the first time NHS staff have staged a nationwide strike.
