Trainee doctors across England have launched a four-day strike as a wage dispute between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government continues.
It is estimated that some 350,000 appointments, including surgeries, were canceled during this latest strike.
Senior health experts have warned of serious disruptions to the NHS and warn people against risky behaviour.
Here’s everything you need to know about the strike, including the latest tips for patients and how to use NHS 111.
When is the youth strike?
The strike started at Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 am. and works until Saturday, April 15, 7 am.
Nearly 37,000 of the 47,692 voting members of the BMA voted in favor of the strike, with 98 percent voting in favor of the strike.
On the same days, trainee doctors, members of the Association of Hospital Consultants and Specialists, went on strike. The union, which represents about 600 junior doctors, has accused the government of refusing to renege on terms negotiated to settle the dispute.
How will this affect the NHS?
Senior health experts have warned that patients face 10 days of “suffering and disruption” as a result of the strikes.
Consultants said the action’s impact will be felt much longer as it takes place after the Easter holidays and ends next weekend.
Dr. Nick Scriven, a Yorkshire consultant and former president of the Society for Emergency Medicine, told me: I: “It will be a real problem to keep the flow in hospitals, because in fact with a holiday, a strike, and then a weekend, there will be 10 days in a row with fewer staff.
“As far as I know, the consultants are ready and willing to collectively roll up their sleeves again, but there remains a risk of fatigue that must be taken into account in the rush to make up for lost meetings and operations.” again in progress.
“The service will expand, but a lot depends on whether and how much [operations] canceled and when those consultants are released to help out in departments to help out the rest of the leadership team.”
Health Minister Steve Barclay advised: “People should go to appointments, unless the NHS decides otherwise, continue to call 999 for life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 online services for non-urgent medical needs.”
NHS Confederation chief Matthew Taylor said on Monday: “We’re telling the public if you have a medical emergency you should of course call 999, but if you’re concerned there’s 111, there’s an NHS website – try to make the most of the NHS.” responsibly as you can.
“And I also have to say this: try to avoid risky behavior as the NHS will not be able to provide the level of care that we aim to provide.”
A BMA spokesperson said there is a safety net in place to manage the risks to patients associated with the young doctors’ strike.
Dr Sumi Manirajan, deputy co-chair of the BMA junior physicians committee, told Sky News: “We have implemented a system in NHS England that allows them to tell us four times a day if there are problems. “.
She added: “We had this system during the 72-hour strikes where they could communicate with us and there was not a single security issue. We have this safety net, but we know our colleagues – our Senior SAS [specialist, associate specialist and specialty] Physicians and consultants – these other qualified physicians can safely provide care.”
Can NHS 111 prescribe antibiotics?
You can use NHS 111 to request a limited supply of emergency medicines that you are out of.
It must be a medicine that you are regularly prescribed with repeat prescriptions. You pay the normal prescription fee. If you don’t normally pay, it’s free.
You cannot use 111 to get antibiotics for a new or recent problem, or controlled drugs that require identification to collect.
To easily access the service call 111 on your phone.
The National Health Service also recommends calling 111 if you:
- discussion of complex medical problems;
- discuss concerns about long-term illness;
- get help at the end of life or report a death;
- child protection services or vulnerable adults.
Why are young doctors on strike?
Doctors in a training campaign for the return of wages. The BMA said its real wages have been cut by 26.1 percent since 2008, requiring a 35.3 percent pay increase.
The BMA said Health Secretary Steve Barclay was unable to make a “credible offer”. She accused the government of not taking the dispute seriously.
Dr. Vivek Trivedi and Dr. Robert Lorenson, Co-Chair of the BMA Junior Physicians Committee, said: “It is with disappointment and great disappointment that we have to announce this new union action.
“The government took every opportunity. She did not make a credible offer and refuses to admit that there is any justification for the return of wages, calling our key demand “unrealistic” and “unreasonable”.
“Therefore, we are not sure that these negotiations can be successful without further action. This situation is entirely caused by the government itself. We want to spend time caring for patients, not go on strike.”
Saffron Corderi, deputy director of NHS Providers, said: “The prospect of a 96-hour strike by junior doctors will alarm trust leaders across the country.
“This will happen just after the four-day bank holiday weekend, which means that demand will pick up before the strike starts on April 11th. There are no exceptions either.
“It threatens the biggest disruption of the National Health Service strikes. There should be no doubt about the magnitude of the impact on patients, staff and the NHS. Nobody wants that.”
Health Minister Steve Barclay described the strikes as “extremely disappointing” and said the BMA’s wage demands were inadequate.
“The strikes will not only endanger patient safety, but are planned for maximum disruption to work after the Easter break,” he said over the weekend.
“I had hoped to start formal salary talks with the BMA last month but asking for a 35% pay rise is unreasonable – some junior doctors will receive a pay raise of more than £20,000 as a result.
“If the BMA wants to move significantly away from this position and cancel the strikes, we can resume confidential negotiations and find a way forward, as we have done with other unions.”
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.