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What?
Junior doctors and consultants in England are set to strike together for the first time, escalating their ongoing pay dispute with the government. Strikes will occur from September 20 to 22 and again from October 2 to 4. A staggering 98% of junior doctors voted in favor of continuing the strikes in a recent British Medical Association (BMA) ballot, granting a six-month mandate for industrial action. These strikes come after five previous walkouts by junior doctors this year alone. While both groups are on strike, emergency services and some wards will still have limited staff coverage. The strikes are a significant milestone in the medical community’s battle for pay restoration, with the BMA calling for a 35% pay rise for junior doctors.
What dates are the doctors strikes?
The doctors’ strikes are scheduled for September 20 to 22 and October 2 to 4.
Do junior doctors get paid when on strike?
No, junior doctors do not get paid while on strike.
What do junior doctors earn?
Junior doctors’ earnings vary, but the government’s last offer included a 6% raise
Why?
The root cause of these strikes is a longstanding pay dispute. For 15 years, junior doctors have seen below-inflation wage increases, with the BMA arguing that a 35% pay rise is needed to remedy this. The government has countered with a 6% raise plus an additional £1,250 lump sum, amounting to nearly 9%. Ministers say this is their final offer and aligns with recommendations from an independent pay review body. This dispute isn’t isolated; it’s part of a larger issue affecting other NHS staff, including nurses and ambulance workers. Most other health unions have already ended their strike actions, leaving the junior doctors and consultants in a protracted battle with the government.
How (does it affect you)?
As a patient in the NHS, this situation directly impacts your healthcare experience. Already, over 940,000 appointments and treatments have been postponed due to previous strikes since December, contributing to a record-breaking backlog of 7.5 million people on hospital waiting lists. Expect delays in non-urgent treatments and longer waiting times for appointments.
What Can You Do?
- Prioritize Emergency Care: If you have a genuine emergency, go to A&E. Emergency services will remain staffed during the strikes.
- Use Online Services: The NHS website offers advice for minor conditions. Take advantage of these resources to alleviate pressure on the system.
- Consider Walk-In Centres: These centres can often handle minor injuries and illnesses, offering an alternative to clogged A&E departments.
- GP Referrals: For non-urgent but necessary consultations with specialists, ensure your GP referral specifies the urgency to potentially speed up the process.
Uncommon Knowledge:
- If you’ve been waiting over 18 weeks for a non-urgent treatment, you have the right to ask to be treated at a different hospital under the NHS Constitution. This isn’t widely publicized but can be a useful tool to get quicker treatment.
Remember, while the strike action is disruptive, the doctors are fighting for conditions that affect their ability to care for patients effectively. Understanding the situation and optimizing how you use NHS services will go a long way in making the best out of a difficult situation.
As always, best wishes from myHSN!
