What both sides say as historic four day junior doctor strike begins
11.04.2023 - 05:59
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Junior doctors are set to walk out today following a bitter row with the Government over pay. The four day strike is set to be the most disruptive industrial action in the history of the National Health Service.
It is estimated that about 250,000 appointments and operations will be affected. NHS bosses have warned that the strike will create 'immense pressures' on staff and services.
NHS England has said that staff will be asked to prioritise emergency and urgent care over some routine appointments and procedures to ensure safe care for those in life-threatening situations.
The strike will run from 6.59am on Tuesday until 6.59am on Saturday. It follows a 72 hour strike by junior doctors last month.
READ MORE: Woman who regrets travelling to Turkey for surgery to get 'Instagram look' wants to warn others
Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, advised the public to use NHS services in 'the most responsible way you can', and to avoid 'risky behaviour' which could result in a visit to A&E during the strikes.
Junior doctors voted to strike in a row over their pay. They are demanding a 35 per cent pay increase, citing 15 years of 'pay erosion'.
They say their pay has declined by more than 25 per cent in real terms over that period. Announcing the strike last month, Dr Vivek Trivedi and Dr Robert Laurenson, co-chairmen of the British Medical Association's junior doctor committee said in a statement: "This situation is entirely of the Government’s own making. We want to spend our time looking after patients, not on strike.
"But with an NHS buckling under a workforce crisis, and four in 10 junior doctors looking to leave, we can’t stand by while our pay is further eroded by inflation and an intransigent