Plan to keep ‘business as usual' during doctor strike poses risk to patients, NHS warned
The public are being urged to keep coming forward for NHS care during a five-day strike by resident doctors.
NHS England said hospitals and local teams have been preparing before the strike, which begins at 7am on Friday, and have plans in place to 'minimise disruption to patient care and ensure life-saving care continues'.
Thousands of resident doctors are expected to join the strike, which is the 12th by resident doctors since March 2023.
New NHS England boss, Sir Jim Mackey, has urged hospital leaders to keep routine operations and appointments going if possible and to only cancel if there is a risk to patient safety.
During the strike, GP surgeries will open as usual and urgent care and A&E will continue to be available for those who need them, NHS England said.
It urged the public to use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England national medical director, said: 'There is no doubt this industrial action will take a toll on patients and NHS staff, and it is disappointing it is going ahead.
'While it will mean some appointments won't be able to go ahead as planned, we are doing all we can to limit this, and patients should continue to use NHS services in the usual way.
'The public should dial 999 in an emergency, and otherwise use 111 online, your local pharmacist or GP, and patients should attend NHS appointments unless told otherwise.'
Strikes by resident doctors last June led to 61,989 inpatient and outpatient appointments being rescheduled.
Since the end of 2022, almost 1.5 million appointments have been rescheduled as a result of industrial action.
The BMA said on Tuesday that talks with the Government aimed at averting the strike had collapsed over the core issue of pay.
Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chairs of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said in a statement: 'We have always said that no doctor wants to strike and all it would take to avoid it is a credible path to pay restoration offered by the Government.
'We came to talks in good faith, keen to explore real solutions to the problems facing resident doctors today.
'Unfortunately, we did not receive an offer that would meet the scale of those challenges.
'While we were happy to discuss non-pay issues that affect doctors' finances we have always been upfront that this is at its core a pay dispute.'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said 'we cannot move on pay after a 28.9 per cent pay rise' but added that the Government was looking at ways to improve resident doctors' working lives.
He said there was an opportunity for the union 'to work with us on a range of options that would have made a real difference to resident doctors' working conditions and created extra roles to deal with the bottlenecks that hold back their career progression.
'Instead, they have recklessly and needlessly opted for strike action.'
He added: 'All of my attention will be now on averting harm to patients and supporting NHS staff at work.
'After a 28.9 per cent pay hike in the last three years and the highest pay rise in the public sector two years in a row, strike action is completely unjustified, completely unprecedented in the history of British trade unionism and shows a complete disdain for patients and the wider recovery of the NHS.'
It came after research suggested public support for the strike is waning.
A YouGov poll showed about half (52 per cent) of people in the UK 'somewhat oppose' (20 per cent) or 'strongly oppose' (32 per cent) resident doctors going on strike over pay.
A third (34 per cent) of the 4,954 adults surveyed either 'somewhat support' (23 per cent) or 'strongly support' (11 per cent) doctor strikes.
YouGov said the proportion supporting the strike over pay has dropped five points since it last asked the question in May, when 48 per cent opposed the strikes and 39 per cent supported them.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said the decision for strikes to go ahead 'is a crushing blow for patients and for the NHS'.
Resident doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training.
They have completed a medical degree and can have up to nine years of working experience as a hospital doctor, depending on their specialty, or up to five years of working and gaining experience to become a GP.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Osteopath hits out at anti-vaxx mother of model who died from cancer at 23 as he tells inquest he was 'not the right person to be helping her'
An osteopath has hit out at the anti-vaxx mother of a model who died from cancer, telling an inquest that he was 'not the right person to be helping her'. Cambridge graduate and model Paloma Shemirani died last July aged 23 after refusing conventional cancer treatments for her treatable non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Her mother, Kay 'Kate' Shemirani, was a notorious anti-vaxxer struck off the UK's nursing register in 2021 for her extreme anti-medicine views, including discouraging the use of masks and vaccines during Covid. She rose to prominence on social media while sharing Covid-19 conspiracy theories, an inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, heard previously. Ms Shemirani was involved in arranging an alternative 'treatment programme' for her daughter. Osteopath Nick Gosset saw Paloma on July 19, 2024, the day she collapsed and was taken to hospital by air ambulance. On Wednesday, he told the inquest that he had advised Ms Shemirani to seek further medical support. Mr Gosset said: 'It was obvious to me that I was not the right person to be helping her, normally you see a patient like that you would refer her (to a GP). Her mother, Kay 'Kate' Shemirani, pictured at an anti-vaxx rally, was a notorious anti-vaxxer struck off the UK's nursing register in 2021 for her extreme anti-medicine views Paloma, pictured in 2019, was a Cambridge graduate who picked up A* and A grades in her A Levels and had aspirations to build a career in publishing 'Any referral was refused - when I suggested that the proper avenue of approach was through a normal medical channel she dismissed it. 'I felt I was presented with a young woman - and I'm not an expert in this, my field is biomechanics - a young lady who was in the last stages of a very difficult disease, and she had declined to engage with conventional treatment.' He added he felt 'aggrieved' that he had been put in that professional position. 'I was left with no good choices and the only choice I felt I had at the time was to offer her the opportunity to return where I might be able to persuade her of the importance of seeking further medical support,' said Mr Gosset. In written statements submitted to the family division of the High Court in Spring 2024, Paloma described herself as 'anti-vaxx' adding that she declined chemotherapy partly because of her 'background in natural healing', the inquest heard on Monday. The proceedings, which involved the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care. Paloma said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment and 'sure' she would 'make a full recovery' if left to continue it. She also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners, in the statement read by lawyer Alison Hewitt. It said: 'I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with. 'I have always been extremely health conscious: sticking to all-organic produce, I prepare all my own meals and I absolutely do not drink or cook with tap water. 'I have never taken drugs, despite pressure to, and I rarely drink alcohol. 'If I became ill, I've always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist. 'Practically fanatical about my health, my close friends know me as a staunch advocate for all proven natural healing'. She described her mother as 'an extremely forceful advocate for natural health' who is 'misquoted' by people claiming 'those natural solutions are conspiratorial'. Ms Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021, with a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee finding she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that 'put the public at a significant risk of harm', the inquest heard previously. The anti-vaxx mother previously joined the coroner's court online - and immediately indicated she is unrepentant on her outspoken opinions. She referred to her daughter's cancer as a 'purported diagnosis' as she argued with Coroner Catherine Wood about what evidence should be heard at the Kent inquest. Despite initially having been given a positive prognosis that she could survive her condition, former Miss Brighton finalist Paloma died just seven months after her diagnosis having refused help. Her two brothers, Gabriel and Sebastian, and former boyfriend, Ander Harris, have since gone on record to claim Paloma had been coerced by her mother into refusing medical help - a claim their mother has denied. The brothers first spoke out in a BBC Panorama interview last month, where they revealed the accusations made against their mother. Ms Shemirani, who describes herself as a 'natural nurse' to her 80,000 followers on X, believes in 'Gerson therapy' - that a vegan diet, natural juices, coffee enemas and supplements can cure cancer. Another statement in Paloma's name added 'my friends know me as a staunch advocate of the Gerson therapy'. She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiancee, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old, she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised. Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says there is no scientific evidence it can be used for these purposes. Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said. The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said: 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma... I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof.' She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out. Paloma understood she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard. 'I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer,' she said. The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12. 'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today,' the statement said. 'These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the second world war. How could this happen today?' it continued. Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz. The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with - including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain being unable to move her arm - had subsided. Earlier this month, Paloma's inquest heard from haematology consultant Dr Arunodaya Mohan who detailed how the young woman was diagnosed and how a treatment plan was created. The coroner's court heard that Paloma was first admitted to A&E on October 4 2023 with chest pain, a fever and a lump in the neck. She was then admitted on December 3 and was put forward for an emergency CT scan the next day. After a biopsy was taken, Paloma was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma with a large mass being found near her sternum. While the consultant was asked about scans from radiology Mrs Shemirani shouted, 'I'd like to object', to which the coroner told her she could not object to a witness statement. Dr Mohen said that as part of a standard treatment plan Paloma was advised to start six cycles of chemotherapy - each lasting 14 days. She rose to prominence on social media while sharing Covid-19 conspiracy theories, an inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, pictured, heard previously. Steroids would also be provided, with radiotherapy and stents being considered later down the line. The doctor said side effects of the treatment, which could have been taken as an inpatient or outpatient, include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, changes to nails and the production of 'tumour lives' which can produce toxins and affect chemicals in the body. Dr Mohen added: 'Chemotherapy can affect fertility so we offered Paloma full fertility preservation before she went ahead with chemotherapy. 'We had a discussion regarding on fertility and we discussed a referral to a tertiary centre. And she was happy to go ahead with the fertility preservation and we discussed the pet scan. 'At that point I don't think I had any concerns [about her capacity]. We went through the management plan at that time and that's when we gave her the cure rate of 80 per cent during that conversation.' At this stage, Paloma's cancer was considered to be a stage one mass and due to her age and extent of the disease she had a good chance of survival. Her doctor said: 'She was very low risk and had an 80 per cent chance of survival which is an excellent cure rate.' After first meeting with Paloma on December 22, Dr Mohan had discussed treatment options and a potential PET scan with Paloma to which she is said to have nodded in agreement. She claims, without evidence, that her daughter was deliberately killed by the NHS Yet the next day Paloma appeared to have changed her mind and was exploring 'unconventional' treatment options. The consultant said she had been surprised when Paloma said that she would not be continuing treatment. Dr Mohan added: 'It was not expected that she was not going ahead with the treatment. 'She said she hadn't made up her mind yet and she might be cancelling her treatment. I can't remember what treatment that was in favour of but it wasn't a conventional treatment. 'She would not disclose why she was worried about the treatment but I did ask her and my team was worried that she might not undergo treatment.' Dr Mohan said she had only had one conversation with Paloma's mother over the phone and had not discussed Ms Shemirani being Paloma's power of attorney. She said Ms Shemirani had repeated Paloma's concerns about the side effects of steroids and said 'she wasn't happy with the Pet scan'. Dr Mohan added: 'I said we would ask Paloma what she wanted and if she decided this treatment I will go in that direction. 'We thought at the time she had full capacity in what was going on. I didn't even want to talk to mum as I didn't think it was helpful.' It's understood that Paloma's father Faramarz also believes in conspiracy theories, but is divorced and living separately to her mother. Gabriel and his brother Sebastian went public last month, claiming their sister died because she refused conventional chemotherapy treatment. The brothers said that doctors gave Paloma an 80 per cent chance of survival but rejected the treatment because of pressure from her mother whom she had been trying to improve her relationship with.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Ultra-processed baby foods ‘set children up for lifetime of obesity,' experts warn
Ultra-processed baby foods that 'set children up for a lifetime of obesity ' are 'dominating' supermarket shelves, experts have warned. A study by researchers at the University of Leeds found that one in three baby food products filling the aisles are classed as ultra-processed foods (UPF), which have been linked to long-term health damage. Researchers have also warned parents over 'misleading' packaging which promotes natural ingredients in a food product that is industrially produced. The team analysed 600 baby food items from major brands and found that a staggering 87 per cent of baby snacks and 79 per cent of baby cereals are classed as UPFs. This means they were made using industrial techniques, with ingredients not typically found in home cooking. They also found 'troubling trends' in popular snacks marketed at infants, including 'melty' puffed snacks and fruit-based chews and bars. The study's authors are now calling on the government to introduce tougher regulations on UPFs, saying the foods on offer 'bear little resemblance to the kind of food young children should be growing up on'. Dr Diane Threapleton, lead researcher and paediatric nutrition expert at the University of Leeds said: 'We're seeing highly processed snacks, sweets, cereals - even meals dominating the baby aisle. These are often marketed as healthy, organic, or with 'no added sugar' claims, but they contain ingredients and undergo processing that bear little resemblance to the kind of food young children should be growing up on. 'These products are setting up babies to crave ultra-processed, overly sweet foods from the very start. There's a real opportunity now for the Government to show it's serious about raising a healthier generation. The current state of the baby food aisle is unacceptable, and it must no longer be ignored.' Their work is backed by the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA), who said the government needs to act 'urgently' to clamp down on the sale of sugary snacks with 'misleading' labelling. The director of the OHA, Katharine Jenner, said: 'The Government's 10-Year Health Plan talks of a moonshot to end obesity, but we'll never get off the launchpad unless we close the gap in our early years. A healthy life starts from the very beginning and right now, we're feeding our babies and toddlers ultra-processed foods that undermine their development and long-term health. 'The baby food aisle is flooded with sugary, ultra-processed snacks that set children up for a lifetime of poor eating habits, obesity, and tooth decay. With the UK in the grip of an oral health crisis, we urgently need government to limit baby food companies from selling high sugar foods with misleading labelling.' She added: 'These products undermine the best intentions of parents and carers, who want to put their child's health first.'
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
My message to doctors, after five days of strikes? Work with us: if you go to war with us, you'll lose
As five days of strike action by resident doctors come to an end, the BMA has written asking me to return to the negotiating table. I've responded, with the irony of their letter being that I never left the table. We are back to where we were two weeks ago, when I sat down in good faith and offered to work intensively with them over a few weeks to negotiate a package of measures that would make a real difference in meeting the costs of doctors' training, the costs associated with being a doctor and the lack of promotion opportunities. The only difference between now and a fortnight ago is the damage that the BMA has done to the NHS through its reckless strike action. Thanks to the hard work of NHS leaders and the heroic efforts of frontline staff who stepped up, including many resident doctors who showed up for work, the disruption was not as bad as it might have been. We managed to protect more operations and procedures than in previous years, and our accident and emergency response times improved during the period of strike action. But I do not want for a moment to play down the real impact of strike action on patients. The BMA has made no bones about the fact that it wanted to do damage to the progress we are making on cutting waiting lists and waiting times, and use the suffering of patients as leverage against the government. It cannot duck the consequences of its actions now. On Saturday, I spoke to a patient whose kidney cancer surgery has been postponed by a month until the end of August. I rang him personally to apologise because, having been through kidney cancer myself, I know exactly how it feels to wait, and the impact the fear and anxiety has on our families and close friends. It was just one of countless examples of cancer care that was affected, not to mention many other operations, appointments and procedures. We are still counting the costs of strike action on patients and stretched NHS budgets – budgets that doctors are relying on to deliver real improvements to their working conditions, as well as to patient care. Doctors are not the only staff I am responsible for in the NHS. The Royal College of Nursing will shortly publish a survey of its members and, without having seen the results, I have spent enough time with our nurses to know that they have not felt valued by the previous government and they are looking to Labour to deliver meaningful change to their profession. The GMB union has made similar representations on behalf of paramedics. Unite returned a negative ballot this week. Unison, the largest trade union in the country, knows better than anyone that staff right across the NHS are looking for material improvements to their pay and conditions. Many of them will never earn as much as the lowest-paid doctor. I have committed to work with them through the NHS staff council to make sure that we drive real change for their members, too. None of them have had a pay rise of 28.9%. Only resident doctors can claim to have received the highest pay rise in the public sector two years in a row. No wonder other NHS staff have looked on aghast at the action of the BMA. The BMA's demands, and the speed with which it launched a strike – and a five-day strike at that – have left many other NHS staff, most of them paid far less than doctors, dismayed and appalled. The BMA is now adding jobs to its pay dispute, presumably because its members agree that picking a fight on pay after a 28.9% pay increase is unprecedented and unreasonable, and they are more worried about whether they have jobs to go into. They are right to be concerned, but working with the BMA to address doctor unemployment and career bottlenecks are among a number of things we are able and willing to do to improve the lives of doctors. All I ask of the BMA is two things. The first is to drop this unnecessary and unreasonable rush to strike action. It harms doctors, it harms patients and it is fundamentally self-defeating, because it leaves the NHS with less money to address the issues that doctors care about. The second is to recognise that this government has a responsibility to all NHS staff and, above all, to patients. We can't fix everything for everyone everywhere all at once. Labour didn't break the NHS, nor did the doctors. Patients are looking to us to work together, as a team, to get their NHS back on its feet and build an NHS fit for the future. The past 12 months has shown what this government and the NHS can achieve when we pull together. Waiting lists are at their lowest levels in two years and it feels like the NHS is finally moving in the right direction. It should be clear to the BMA by now that it will lose a war with this government. It's not too late for us both to win the peace. Wes Streeting is secretary of state for health and social care Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
