Hospital doctors in England yesterday began their longest consecutive strike in the seven-decade history of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Junior doctors — those below consultant level — started a six-day walkout, in a major escalation of their long-running pay dispute with the British government.
The industrial action comes at one of the busiest times of the year for the state-funded NHS, when it faces increased pressure from winter respiratory illnesses. It also quickly follows a three-day strike held by doctors just before Christmas.
Photo: AP
The NHS said the latest stoppage, which could see up to half of the medical workforce on picket lines, would have “a significant impact on almost all routine care.”
“This January could be one of the most difficult starts to the year the NHS has ever faced,” NHS Medical Director Stephen Powis said.
The strike is due to end on Tuesday next week.
The British Medical Association last month announced the walkout after a breakdown in talks with the government.
The union said that junior doctors have been offered a 3 percent rise on top of the average 8.8 percent increase they were given earlier this year.
It rejected the offer because the cash would be split unevenly across doctor grades and would “still amount to pay cuts for many doctors.”
Junior doctors have gone on strike at least seven times since March last year.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and hospital leaders have criticized the action.
Health policy is a devolved matter for the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the British government overseeing England.
Junior doctors in Wales are due to walk out for 72 hours from Jan. 15. Those in Northern Ireland have voted for a potential strike, while their Scottish counterparts have struck a deal with the government in Edinburgh.
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