Hundreds of thousands to suffer in new NHS strikes

Hundreds of thousands to suffer in new NHS strikes as more than half a million operations and appointments are set to be halted when junior doctors walk out this month

• BMA strikes will see 250,000 procedures cancelled, according to NHS chiefs
• The four-day strike will begin next Tuesday and is the longest BMA strike yet 

The looming junior doctors’ strike means more than half a million operations and appointments will have been halted by walkouts, NHS chiefs warned last night.

The impact of the doctors’ action this month will see around 250,000 procedures cancelled, according to ‘conservative’ estimates.

Added to about 300,000 cancellations since NHS industrial action started in December, more than 550,000 procedures and appointments will have been put on hold.

Many patients will be called today to be told their operations are being cancelled. The backlog awaiting procedures is a record 7.2million.

The four-day strike, starting next Tuesday, is the longest yet, with the Easter weekend adding to the pressure on the NHS. Junior doctors also walked out last month.

The impact of the doctors’ action this month will see around 250,000 procedures cancelled, according to ‘conservative’ estimates

Many patients will be called today to be told their operations are being cancelled. The backlog awaiting procedures is a record 7.2million

Writing in The Times, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospital trusts, said: ‘The threatened doctors’ strike will endanger patients and be a hammer blow to the NHS’s attempts to tackle treatment backlogs.’

The British Medical Association has been criticised for advising members not to tell NHS bosses if they were going on strike.

Hospitals are drawing up plans to provide care during the walkout, but not knowing which doctors plan to strike makes this harder.

A guide for strikers on the BMA website states: ‘You should not tell your trust if you are striking.’

Tory MP Paul Bristow, who sits on the Commons health committee, said it was ‘morally reprehensible’, adding: ‘For the BMA’s leaders, this is no longer about trying to get the best deal for members, it’s about bringing down the Government.’

Mr Taylor said many consultants who would normally fill the gaps will be away over Easter.

Those who pitch in will expect to be paid the BMA’s going rate to cover, putting further pressure on NHS budgets.

Added to that is an NHS under strain due to 124,000 vacant posts.

More than 60,000 junior doctors are expected to strike as they demand a pay rise of 35 per cent.

The basic salary for a foundation-year junior doctor is £29,384, but those with specialist training earn £40,257 to £53,398.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has successfully led pay negotiations with the Royal College of Nursing, which has now put a £4billion pay deal to its members in a ballot due to end on April 17.

A BMA spokesman said: ‘In England, there is no legal obligation for an employee to tell their employer if or when they are taking industrial action. The BMA has provided NHS Trusts with all the industrial action information required by law.’

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