# British doctors’ strikes risk patient safety, minister says
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2023-04-11
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: Junior Doctors' Strikes Risk Patient Safety
Meta Description: Get the latest on the unprecedented disruption caused by junior doctors' strikes demanding pay rises in the NHS. Stay informed to protect your health.
URL: https://financedigest.com/british-doctors-strikes-risk-patient-safety-minister-sayshtml

![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2023-04-10t232009z2lynxmpej390nmrtroptp4britain-budget-1736814175419-compressed.jpg)

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s health minister warned patients’ safety is at risk as junior doctors began four days of strikes on Tuesday that are likely to cause unprecedented disruption.

Tens of thousands of junior doctors planned to walk out demanding pay rises better aligned with inflation, meaning many operations and other non-emergency appointments would be cancelled across the state-funded National Health Service (NHS).

The British Medical Association (BMA), the union representing doctors, wants a 35% rise, arguing that members have suffered a 26% real terms cut in pay over 15 years. Tuesday’s walkout followed a three-day doctors’ strike [last month](https://www.financedigest.com/fintech-trends-to-look-out-for-during-the-last-six-months-of-2019.html "Fintech trends to look out for during the last six months of 2019").

Not only will the walkouts risk patient safety, but they have also been timed to maximise disruption after the Easter [break,” Health](https://www.financedigest.com/breaking-the-stigma-men-and-mental-health-in-the-world-of-investments.html "Breaking the Stigma: Men and Mental Health in the World of Investments") Secretary Steve Barclay said in a statement.

Junior doctors – about 75,000 qualified physicians some of whom are very experienced – make up a sizeable chunk of [Britain’s workforce](https://www.financedigest.com/influence-of-the-rise-of-machinery-on-britains-workforce.html "INFLUENCE OF THE RISE OF MACHINERY ON BRITAIN’S WORKFORCE") of medics. They [say the strikes could be stopped if Barclay put](https://www.financedigest.com/boes-bailey-says-rate-setters-can-put-inflation-before-bank-worries.html "BoE’s Bailey says rate-setters can put inflation before bank worries") a credible offer forward.

He [says the demands are unreasonable and would mean an increase](https://www.financedigest.com/should-we-be-more-cautious-about-contactless-1-in-4-young-adults-with-contactless-cards-say-theyve-increased-their-spending.html "Should we be more cautious about contactless? 1 in 4 young adults with contactless cards say they’ve increased their spending") of more then 20,000 pounds ($24,840) for some.

The strike is the latest to involve NHS staff, following walkouts by nurses, paramedics and others demanding [rises that better reflects annual inflation](https://www.financedigest.com/shares-rise-but-concern-mounts-over-inflation-flare-up.html "Shares rise, but concern mounts over inflation flare-up") running at more than 10%.

The NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, said the action would leave many aspects of [patient care](https://www.financedigest.com/health-care-systems-show-moderate-decrease-in-liability-claims-find-correlation-between-worker-safety-and-patient-safety.html "Health Care Systems Show Moderate Decrease in Liability Claims, Find Correlation Between Worker Safety and Patient Safety") “on a knife edge.

This next round of strikes will see unparalleled levels of disruption, and we are very concerned about the potential severity of [impact on patients and services across](https://www.financedigest.com/adnami-signs-agreements-with-schibsted-and-amedia-to-deliver-high-impact-ads-with-unparalleled-reach-across-the-nordics.html "Adnami signs agreements with Schibsted and Amedia to deliver high impact ads with unparalleled reach across the Nordics") the country,” said Stephen Powis, the NHS national medical director.

($1 = 0.8052 pounds)

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)


---
This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more.
---