2023-06-14 08:04:01
KUK hospital doctors begin a 72-hour strike for higher wages on Wednesday. The recent work stoppage of the so-called junior doctors is expected to last until Saturday. Health officials warned in advance of major disruption to patients.
According to the British Medical Society’s (BMA) Junior Physicians Committee, doctors have suffered a 26 percent drop in real wages over the past 15 years. They are demanding an offset that would restore purchasing power to 2008-2009. However, the government believes this is too expensive because it would mean a wage increase of 35 percent for this year.
The BMA said it was ready for talks but would organize more strikes in the coming months if the government stuck to its offer of a 5 percent wage increase.
On Tuesday, NHS Medical Director Stephen Powis warned that most routine healthcare could be affected by the strike. A similar work stoppage in April saw 196,000 hospital appointments and surgeries postponed. Health Secretary Steve Barclay called the strikes “extremely disappointing” and said the action would put patients at risk.
Junior doctors in Scotland on Tuesday rejected a “final” offer from the Scottish Government for a 14.5 per cent wage increase over two years. Strikes are planned there from July 12th to 15th.
Inflation in the UK was still 8.7 percent in April. This is the lowest level in over a year.
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