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NHS Strikes: Resident Doctors Defy Calls to Postpone Action
13 Dec
Summary
- Resident doctors are proceeding with industrial action despite severe NHS winter pressures.
- Patient safety is a significant concern due to the ongoing 'flunami' and hospital strain.
- The British Medical Association head refuses to reconsider strike timing amid government offer.
The National Health Service is currently grappling with immense pressures, exacerbated by a severe 'flunami' driving unprecedented hospitalizations. Resident doctors are proceeding with planned industrial action, a move widely criticized as dangerous and wrong given the critical state of patient care. Hospital leaders warn of a situation not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for all hands on deck.
Despite the government presenting an improved offer on jobs and training, and a substantial pay rise, the British Medical Association's chair, Dr. Tom Dolphin, refuses to postpone the strike. He argues the NHS is already year-round strained. However, health secretary Wes Streeting expresses genuine fear for patient safety, highlighting the potential for lives to be at risk.
The article suggests that while senior doctors will cover, and some junior doctors may work overtime, the extraordinary crisis calls for resident doctors to reconsider their actions. It also urges the public to take personal responsibility by getting vaccinated, staying home when ill, and wearing masks to protect vulnerable individuals and ease the burden on the NHS.
