Junior doctors in England go on their longest strike to date shortly before Christmas
The fresh strike by hospital doctors comes at one of the busiest times of the year. Traditionally, the NHS sees an increase in admissions to hospital in the two weeks after Christmas as people put off treatment for the festive period.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sharply criticized the junior doctors' strike. He called on the doctors to return to the negotiating table. They should "bear in mind that a strike at such a difficult time will have a significant impact on both the NHS and individual patients", emphasized Sunak.
According to the BMA, junior doctors had been offered a 3.3 percent pay rise in addition to an average 8.8 percent pay rise already agreed in the summer. They had rejected the offer, citing uneven distribution and arguing that the offer "would still mean a pay cut for many doctors".
There have already been several strikes in the health service in England this year, resulting in delayed treatment and canceled appointments for hundreds of thousands of patients. The NHS, which has been underfunded for years, already has a huge backlog to clear following the coronavirus pandemic.
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- Despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's call for negotiation, the strike by junior doctors in England's hospitals has continued to be the longest so far.
- The proposed 3.3% pay rise for junior doctors during the negotiation process was rejected due to concerns about uneven distribution and a possible pay cut for many doctors.
- In Great Britain, the national debate surrounding the strike has intensified, with residents expressing their concerns about the impact on the already overburdened National Health Service (NHS).
- Before the strike, hospitals in England had already been dealing with a significant backlog due to several strikes this year, delaying treatment and canceling appointments for hundreds of thousands of patients.
- So far, the longest strike by junior doctors in England has affected the country's healthcare system at one of its busiest times of the year, causing anxiety and disruption for patients.
- In light of the ongoing strike, many senior doctors and healthcare professionals have stepped in to cover for their junior colleagues, ensuring essential services remain operational.
- Looking ahead, the perspective of resolving the strike and reaching a satisfactory negotiation, thereby ensuring smooth healthcare services during the pre-Christmas period, remains a critical issue for both the NHS and its residents in England.
Source: www.stern.de
