The NHS is preparing for the first ever joint strike by consultants and junior doctors taking place this week.
Consultants begin their strike action on Tuesday (September 19th) and are joined by junior doctors on Wednesday (September 20th).
On Wednesday from 7am, both junior doctors and consultants will deliver Christmas day levels of staffing only, meaning just emergency care will be provided. Both groups will then strike on 2nd, 3rd and 4th October, again providing Christmas day cover.
Now in the tenth month of industrial action across the NHS, staff continue to work hard to provide patients with the best possible care. Previous industrial action by consultants last month saw around 6,000 staff off per day due to industrial action.
The industrial action is being taken in a dispute over pay.
The BMA said: “Our consultant members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
“The Government’s derisory pay uplift of just under 6% is an insult to consultants. Our aim is to fix consultant pay now and for retirement.
“This should begin with an agreement to provide an above inflationary pay award for 2023-24.
“We have provided every opportunity to avert industrial action. It has become apparent that, so far, they are unwilling to take the steps necessary to resolve this dispute.”
The NHS is reminding the public that they should continue to use health services as they usually would – using 999 and A&E in life threatening situations and using 111 online for other health concerns. GPs and pharmacies can be used by the public for health advice and appointments as normal.
