Health secretary urges no moves as poll of UK junior medical doctors starts

The well being secretary, Wes Streeting, has instructed medical doctors to vote towards business motion because the British Medical Association (BMA) ballots resident medical doctors, previously referred to as junior medical doctors, for strike motion that would final for 6 months.

Writing within the Times on Thursday, Streeting mentioned: “We can’t afford to return to a continuous cycle of standoffs, strikes, and cancellations … Strikes should always be a last resort, and I don’t think they are in anyone’s interest today.

“I’m appealing to resident doctors to vote no in the ballot, and instead continue the progress we’ve made, working together to rebuild our NHS.”

Resident medical doctors say their pay has declined through 23% in actual phrases since 2008. If they make a choice to head on strike, walkouts may start in July and probably final till January 2026.

The executive accredited wage suggestions from pay evaluate our bodies previous this month, leading to a median 5.4% upward thrust for resident medical doctors.

The Patients Association mentioned it used to be “deeply concerned” concerning the prospect of strike motion over the busy iciness duration within the NHS. Previous strike motion from medical doctors in coaching ended in 1.3m appointments, procedures and operations being postponed, it mentioned, with the real determine “likely to be much higher”.

BMA resident medical doctors committee co-chairs Melissa Ryan and Ross Nieuwoudt mentioned in a remark: “Patients are all too aware how much the NHS relies on its resident doctors.

“With the announcement of yesterday’s ballot, many will understandably be concerned about how future strike action might affect them getting care but it’s important to stress that strike action is not inevitable and can be avoided.

“The government has the power to honour its previous commitment to map out and restore doctors’ pay, avoiding strikes entirely. We’re confident that patients will recognise that the value of doctors has not diminished since 2008, but that working conditions and pay have.

“Wes Streeting must now step forward with a solution that allows us to stay with our patients, off the picket lines, and remain in this country rather than being driven to seek work abroad where doctors’ unique skills and expertise are more appropriately valued. As the population ages and care becomes more complex, we need to make sure we retain doctors in the UK.”

Streeting wired that “we can’t lose momentum”, including: “There’s so much more to do. But my message to anyone working in the health service is this: Stick with us.

“The NHS was broken, but it’s not beaten. If we keep pulling together, we can turn it around.”

With PA Media