Resident doctors in England's hospitals begin five-day strike on Thursday
One week before the Parliament election in Britain, on a Thursday, hospital doctors in England began a five-day strike. They demand a 35 percent wage increase as a starting point, given the persistent inflation. The strike is expected to last until Tuesday next week - two days before the election, where the ailing healthcare system is a significant issue for the British electorate.
The BMA medical union left open the possibility of canceling this strike during the election campaign if the Conservative Government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave a credible promise to raise wages. However, the government holds the view that the doctors' demands are unpayable due to budget constraints.
It is expected that the opposition Labour Party will win the election. Their health policy spokesperson, Wes Streeting, stated that a Labour government would not meet the 35 percent demand but "there is room for discussion."
The underfunded National Health Service (NHS) is grappling with a decrease in medical personnel and long waiting lists for treatments. The increasingly disgruntled population must accept delays in surgeries and the start of cancer therapies, as well as long waiting times for an appointment at their local doctor's office. Health policy in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of their respective governments, while the British government in London is only responsible for England.
- Despite the ongoing strike by hospital doctors in England, scheduled for Thursday out of the upcoming Parliamentary election week, the BMA union indicated a willingness to reconsider if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Government presented a credible wage increase promise.
- Amidst the five-day strike action by doctors in English hospitals, the Parliamentary election in Britain is approaching on Thursday, with the struggling healthcare system being a significant concern for voters.
- Following the Parliamentary election in England on Thursday, the residents in various parts of the country will continue to face delays in surgeries and cancer treatments due to the shortage of medical personnel and long waiting lists in the NHS, impacted by the ongoing strike.
- Set against the backdrop of a five-day doctors' strike in England during the forthcoming Parliamentary election week, the Conservative Government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak maintains that the doctors' demands for a 35 percent wage increase are beyond their budgetary means.
