NHS Strikes: Doctors Told Not to Alert Hospitals of Absence

Resident doctors, scheduled to go on strike for five days in July to demand a 29 percent pay rise, are being told by union bosses they do not have to inform their NHS trusts if planning to strike. The move has sparked fears for patient safety, as hospitals struggle to plan cover for the absence of key staff. Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-leader of the British Medical Association's resident doctors committee, has accused trusts of trying to deceive doctors into revealing strike plans.

Key Takeaways:

• Resident doctors are going on strike for five days in July to demand a 29 percent pay rise.
• Union bosses are telling doctors they do not have to inform their NHS trusts if planning to strike, which may compromise patient safety.
• Hospitals rely on doctors informing them of their strike plans to plan adequate cover for patient care.
• Dr Ross Nieuwoudt has accused trusts of trying to deceive doctors into revealing strike plans.
• Legally, union members do not have to tell their employer if they are planning to strike.
• The British Medical Association has stated that doctors intending to take strike action are under no obligation to inform their employers of those intentions.
• A spokesman for the organization stated that nine out of ten members who voted in the ballot supported strike action, implying that most doctors will participate in the strikes.
• The NHS has been hit by previous strikes, resulting in the cancellation of 1.5 million appointments and a financial loss of £1.7 billion.

Statistics:

• 29 percent: the pay rise demanded by resident doctors.
• 5 days: the duration of the planned strike in July.
• 1.5 million: the number of appointments canceled due to previous strikes.
• £1.7 billion: the financial loss incurred by the NHS due to previous strikes.
• 9 out of 10: the proportion of BMA members who voted in support of strike action.

Sources:

• The Sun on Sunday (no date)