England’s healthcare system is bracing for severe chaos as consultants began a 48-hour walkout over a contentious pay row.
The strike today (Thursday, August 24) threatens to disrupt routine hospital care and could lead to “severe delays” for patients.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced plans for a three-day walkout.
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Medics would strike from October 2 to 4, with another action scheduled for September 19 and 20.
During the strikes, consultants will continue to provide “Christmas Day cover,” ensuring emergency care is available.
Postponed appointments could reach one million
Health experts warn the number of postponed appointments could soon reach one million.
The industrial action began in December 2022 and led to over 839,000 inpatient and outpatient hospital appointment cancellations.
The timing of this strike, just ahead of a bank holiday weekend, could worsen the situation.
This is because many staff are on leave and there’s an increased demand for care due to warmer weather, patient services may be affected for an extended period.
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The government has declared that discussions on pay are concluded, offering consultants a six percent pay rise.
However, the BMA deems this offer “insulting,” citing a 35 percent pay erosion over the past 14 years.
Dr Vishal Sharma, the BMA consultants committee chairman, said: “No consultant wants to be striking and we head out to picket lines today with heavy hearts.
“We would much rather be inside the hospital seeing our patients.
“But we cannot sit by and watch passively as we are persistently devalued, undermined and forced to watch colleagues leave – much to the detriment of the NHS and patients.
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“By refusing to talk to us – and it’s now been 150 days since the Health Secretary met with us – it just shows that the Government is not serious about the NHS, its workforce or patients.
“Our message to the Prime Minister is that we are serious about protecting the consultant workforce and thereby the NHS and patients.
“We are striking today, and will do so again in September and October, but the Prime Minister has the power to avert any further action at all, by getting around the table and presenting us with a credible offer.
“Concerned and disappointed”
Steve Barclay, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: “I am concerned and disappointed that the BMA has gone ahead with this industrial action, which will continue to affect patients and hamper efforts to cut NHS waiting lists.
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“I’m aware some consultants cut short their annual leave over the most recent periods of industrial action by the BMA Junior Doctors Committee and I am incredibly grateful to those staff who came forward to help protect patients and services.
“We have accepted the independent pay review body recommendations in full, giving consultants a 6% pay rise, which means average NHS earnings for consultants of £134,000, on top of a pension where generous tax changes mean a consultant can retire at age 65 with a pension each year for life of £78,000 a year.
“This pay award is final and I urge the BMA to call an end to strikes.”
The strike began at 7am today and will continue until 7am on Saturday, August 26.
