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Senior doctors in England are set to embark on a 48-hour strike, causing a potential halt in hospital care and exacerbating the ongoing pay dispute between medical professionals and the British government. Thousands of hospital doctors have pledged to provide only emergency care during the strike, leading the National Health Service (NHS) to warn of significant disruptions for patients over the two-day period.
The strike follows a series of protests involving doctors, nurses, and clinical staff, reflecting a wider trend of public sector workers demanding better pay amidst the UK’s cost-of-living crisis. The timing of this strike, just ahead of a late August public holiday weekend, poses additional challenges for the NHS, as it coincides with heightened demand for hospital services.
The government’s offer of a 6% pay rise for senior doctors has sparked controversy, with the British Medical Association condemning it as “insulting.” The association argues that real terms pay for doctors has declined by 35% over the past 14 years. Amidst concerns about diminishing work conditions and value, doctors are using the strikes as a platform to raise awareness.
Dr. Vishal Sharma, a union leader, emphasized the need for action: “We would much rather be inside the hospital seeing our patients. But we cannot sit by and watch passively as we are persistently devalued, undermined and forced to watch colleagues leave – much to the detriment of the NHS and patients.”
The British Medical Association has indicated plans for additional strikes on September 19-20 and October 2-4. Meanwhile, junior doctors continue their pay dispute with the government, compounding the challenges faced by the healthcare system. Earlier this year, the government managed to resolve separate disputes with nurses’ unions and other health workers, including ambulance drivers and paramedics.