Junior docs’ walkout led to 61,000 delays for sufferers

The newest four-day strike by junior docs led to the axing of greater than 61,000 hospital appointments and procedures, it was revealed.

In their fifth spherical of business motion, an estimated 23,000 trainee medics walked out on each Friday and Monday and seven,000 downed instruments every day over the weekend in between.

The complete variety of appointments delayed since strikes by employees started in December has now reached 839,000, NHS England mentioned.

But NHS nationwide medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis warned the true impression was even higher than the figures counsel, as many providers cease scheduling appointments for strike days as soon as they’re introduced.

He mentioned: “We will soon hit a million appointments rescheduled if strikes continue, which shows the enormous impact industrial action is having on patients, their families and the NHS.

“During almost nine months of action, our hard-working staff have done all they can to keep patients safe while tackling a record backlog.

“But there is no doubt this cumulative impact is posing a huge challenge for the health service.”

Health Secretary Steve Barclay mentioned the disruption by docs’ union the British Medical Association had not solely “harmed patients” however had “cost the NHS huge sums which could be spent…to help tackle waiting lists”.

He added: “We are giving first year doctors in training a 10.3% uplift, and an average annual pay rise of 8.8% worth £3,000 to £4,700.

“My door is always open to discuss the other issues doctors face and I want to work together to improve their working lives. But this pay award is final. So I urge the BMA to call an end to this needless disruption.”

Junior docs are asking for a 35% rise. Meanwhile, their counterparts in Scotland have overwhelmingly voted to just accept a “record” pay supply.

The British Medical Association had advisable its members settle for the deal, which can see wages rise by 12.4% in 2023-24 and consistent with inflation till at the very least 2026-27.

More than 4 out of 5 who took half within the poll voted to just accept..

Scottish Health Secretary Michael Matheson mentioned it was “the single biggest investment in junior doctor pay since devolution”.