UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – NHS hospitals plan to reschedule strike-hit visits in two weeks, but warn that the rescheduling will cause delays for other patients across England.
As reported by The Independent, NHS England said hospitals plan to reschedule strike-hit appointments within two weeks, though it may disrupt care for others.
What did the NHS director say about the strike disruption?
NHS England’s co-national medical director, Professor Meghana Pandit, said local trusts have largely maintained services with minimal disruption despite thousands of doctors striking since Friday, 25 July.
She said,
“If there’s any rescheduling or postponement of surgery or appointments, then the hospitals try their upmost best to get that appointment rescheduled within two weeks.”
Ms Pandit stated,
“I know it is distressing and even two weeks is too long for somebody to wait and actually that has an impact on the people who are then displaced at that two-week period.”
She confirmed that three derogations were approved on Friday, allowing hospitals in England to recall doctors from the strike to ensure patient safety.
How did some NHS doctors return to work amid the strike?
An agreement between Nottingham City Hospital and the British Medical Association allowed one doctor to remain on duty in the neonatal intensive care unit during the strike.
At Northern General Hospital, two derogations were approved, one for a doctor in the emergency department and another in the ISGM unit.
On Saturday, two anaesthetists were exempted from the strike at University Hospital Lewisham under a BMA-approved derogation to ensure patient safety.
What did Wes Streeting and Keir Starmer say about NHS strikes?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said officials are taking all necessary measures to reduce harm to patients during the doctors’ walkout.
He criticised the strikes as “reckless” and warned the Government would not allow the BMA to “hold the country to ransom.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued an appeal to resident doctors to reconsider strike action, warning it would cause “real damage.”
He added,
“Most people do not support these strikes. They know they will cause real damage. These strikes threaten to turn back the clock on progress we have made in rebuilding the NHS over the last year, choking off the recovery.”
What did the BMA’s Tom Dolphin say about Labour’s stance on strikes?
The BMA’s chair, Tom Dolphin, stated,
“It’s very disappointing to see a Labour government taking such a hard line against trade unions. The settlement last year was a good move by the Labour government. The problem is they’ve gone back on their position since then.”
He said,
“They’re talking about punishing the trade union, talking about punishing doctors, holding them back in their training, making sure that they don’t get locum shifts, that kind of thing.”
Mr Dolphin added,
“People are talking about that which, of course, you know it’s not legal, and if we find cases of people being held to detriment having taken part in strikes, we’ll be fighting their case for them. It’s just disappointing to hear that kind of rhetoric coming from a Labour administration.”
What did Jim Mackey say about the wider harm of strikes?
NHS boss Jim Mackey said lessons from past strikes showed more harm to patients than first expected, leading to a shift in approach.
He added,
“Colleagues in the service have tried to keep as much going as humanly possible as well, and the early signs are that that’s been achieved so far, but it is early days. The thing that colleagues won’t compromise is safety in the actual delivery. But it does look like people have heard that. They’re pulling together to maximise the range of services possible.”
Why are NHS resident doctors protesting?
- Pay fight:
Doctors want a 29% pay rise to match what they earned before 2008. They say current pay doesn’t reflect their work. - Tension with Labour:
The BMA says Labour promised better last year but is now turning tough—talking about punishing striking doctors. - Latest offer rejected:
The new government offer is 5.4%, but doctors say that’s not enough after years of falling pay. - Fewer are joining the strike:
Support is slipping. Only 45% of members voted for the strike this time, and picket lines were smaller.