Resident doctors in England begin five days of strike action today over jobs and pay.

Responding to comments from NHS Providers and NHS Confederation, threatening the need to cut services if strikes continue, BMA resident doctors committee chair Dr Jack Fletcher said:

“These strikes did not have to go ahead and the Government can stop them even now with a decent offer on pay and jobs.

“So we must ask, given their supposed concern about the strikes, why are NHS Providers and NHS Confederation not making this appeal to the Government?

“This seems to be a case of NHS managers emotionally blackmailing frontline staff who are taking legitimate industrial action to defend their pay and conditions, and fight for employment.

“Today’s strikes have not come out of the blue. We have been telling the Government for months that without an offer that addresses both the absurd situation of doctors facing unemployment while people struggle to get appointments, and cuts to pay that fail to value the doctors we do have, we would be forced to take to the picket lines once again. We have been clear that we are willing to work with ministers to reach a solution on both of these fronts. Unfortunately it is the failure of the Government to bring anything nearly enough to the table that has got us to where we are today.

“What has been offered so far still leaves thousands of resident doctors without a role this year, and the Government seems determined to cut pay even further next year.

“Any resident doctor would also challenge the narrative being pushed by Government and managers that the NHS is somehow turning a corner. We have doctors sitting on bins because there aren’t enough chairs, patients routinely being seen in corridors, A&E waits through the roof and rota gaps are an accepted norm. How on earth can doctors provide high-quality care in such conditions? We cannot let the Government and managers gaslight the public into putting the blame for these system-wide failures at the doors of hardworking doctors who are standing up for their profession and the future of the health service.

“Strikes need not go ahead, trusts need not lose money and patients need not have their appointments cancelled. All the Government needs to do is propose a deal that values doctors, allows them to offer their true potential across the NHS and keeps them in the workforce to continue treating patients. An investment in this will pay off dividends in the long run for the health of the population.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.

1. Strikes by resident doctors in England begin today (Friday 14^th November) at 7am and end on Wednesday 19^th November at 7am
2. Details of picket locations can be found here.