Streeting warns doctors must feel ‘pain' of strikes to prevent further action
The health secretary has instructed hospitals to minimise disruption to appointments as safely as possible, as up to 50,000 junior doctors stage a five-day walkout in the latest row over pay.
Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, have called for a 29 per cent pay increase and have taken to the picket lines across England from 7am on Friday, as part of a five-day walkout due to last until Wednesday.
In a transcript seen and reported by The Telegraph, Mr Streeting told NHS leaders: 'It is really important that these strikes are not pain-free for resident doctors or the BMA, because otherwise we will see broader contagion across the BMA and potentially broader contagion across the public sector.'
It has also been reported that doctors will be warned that repeated absences from duties could slow career progression.
It comes after Mr Streeting sent a personal letter to NHS resident doctors, saying: 'I deeply regret the position we now find ourselves in.'
The health secretary said that while he cannot pledge a bigger pay rise, he has been committed to progress to improve doctors' working lives.
He also said he does not now believe the British Medical Association's resident doctors committee (RDC) has 'engaged with me in good faith' over bids to avert the strike.
Members of the public have been urged to come forward for NHS care during the walkout, and are being asked to attend appointments unless told they are cancelled.
GP surgeries will open as usual and urgent care and A&E will continue to be available, alongside NHS 111, NHS England said.
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