Health Secretary Warns of "Catastrophic Mistake" if Doctors Strike Without Informing NHS Trusts

Strategic Insights -

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned that a planned strike by resident doctors would be a "catastrophic mistake" if they do not inform their NHS trusts about their decision to strike. Streeting said that such a move would be "shockingly irresponsible" and would make it harder for managers to ensure safe staffing levels. The strike, planned for 25 July, is in pursuit of a 29% pay rise, with Labour offering a 5.4% increase this year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Resident doctors voted to take a 5-day strike starting on 25 July in pursuit of a 29% pay rise, which the BMA claims was needed to replace lost pay over years of cuts.
  • Labour has offered resident doctors a 5.4% pay rise this year, after a 22% rise agreed for the previous two years.
  • Streeting said that the planned strike would be self-defeating and would lead to cancellations and delays in patient treatment.
  • The BMA has defended resident doctors' pay claim, stating that they did not work through the Covid pandemic only to end up with a real-terms pay cut.
  • Streeting warned that any decision by resident doctors not to inform their trusts about their intention to strike would be "unconscionable" and would make it harder for other staff to plan for safe staffing levels.

Statistics:

  • 5.4%: The pay rise offered to resident doctors by Labour this year.
  • 22%: The pay rise agreed for the previous two years.
  • 28.9%: The total pay rise received by resident doctors over the last three years, according to government calculations.
  • 5 days: The planned duration of the strike starting on 25 July.

Sources:

  • Cruddas, C. (2023, Monday). "Wes Streeting: doctors' planned strike would be 'catastrophic mistake'". The Guardian.
  • BBC Radio 4's Today programme. (2023, Monday). Interview with Emma Runswick, resident doctor and deputy chair of the BMA council.