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The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
‘Why are they striking? Because they can': Readers frustrated by threat of further NHS industrial action
Strikes by NHS doctors are once again making headlines and dividing opinion across the country. As junior doctors vote on whether to take more industrial action, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged them to say no, warning that more strikes will only hurt patients and stall progress. Doctors say they've had enough of being underpaid and undervalued, with some calling for a near 30 per cent pay rise to make up for years of real-terms cuts. But public support is slipping, and some patients are losing patience. In a poll of Independent readers, two-thirds of respondents said they felt strikes would hurt patients and should not go ahead. Bigger questions also lurk behind the pay dispute: is the NHS properly funded? Is immigration helping or hurting the system? And how do we train and keep enough staff without burning them out or driving them abroad? When we asked for your views, some readers blamed poor management, others pointed to staff shortages and rising demand. But one thing was clear: the NHS is at breaking point, and something has to give. Here's what you had to say: User changes We need some user charges for health care. This is to encourage people to look after their health. Despite more money being poured into the NHS than ever before, the number of people needing treatment continues to rise even faster. User charges would also enable doctors to be paid properly and prevent them from leaving for other countries. Mark A career, not a vocation When becoming a doctor became a career rather than a vocation, it seems to have become both in thrall to Big Pharma and motivated by greed rather than concern for patient or societal well-being — something else unwanted, imported from the USA. Topsham1 Rising demand means rising contributions If we went back to the NHS of the 1950s, 60s, 70s, etc., we could probably reduce funding considerably. However, what the NHS does and the numbers it does it for consistently rises. If we really want it to meet the need comprehensively, we'll need to increase contributions. To keep up with rising costs and modern treatments, this seems inevitable. We seem to accept rising costs in most areas of life, but think we can run the NHS on less. Go figure. Strangely Enough Striking while patients suffer is wrong I think it is morally wrong to take industrial action that will knowingly harm patients. The dispute is not with them. Strikes are to put pressure on the employer, in this case the government, to up their offer. But if inadequate pay is causing retention problems, then the pressure is already there. EarthFirst Top-heavy If you get rid of the thousands of administrators/managers on £100,000+ salaries, you can afford a pay rise for doctors and nurses. The NHS is way too top-heavy. VonGenschler A good carpenter can out-earn most doctors I've spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals in recent times and have had excellent treatment overall. It would be good if our NHS staff were the world's highest paid, but that can't happen because hospitals are oversubscribed with the growing number of people, many of whom are not entitled by birth to do so. Doctors and other staff are also not necessarily native in any way, but I, for one, am glad they're here. Today, a good carpenter can out-earn most doctors up to registrar level, which must be galling for those with higher education and ambition. As an older person, I use the NHS more frequently. Sometimes I'm aware that me living means someone might not get that important appointment. Another thing is free prescriptions – I receive twelve items more or less each month. Again, I wonder how on earth I could pay the cost that others have to pay. My prescriptions are delivered free as well. I don't know how this is financed, but someone does. I suppose, one day, they will carry out the most enormous cull to balance things up a little. I wouldn't blame them – maybe they're already planning it. Martyn GPs failings GPs bear a great chunk of the NHS failings that are occurring today. My recollection of GP services concerns the home birth of our second child. There were no complications – in fact, labour only lasted for three hours – but our GP at the time came to the house during the labour and returned three days after the birth to check that the baby and mother were in good fettle, which they were. Do GPs give that sort of service today? Cameron promised 24/7 GP service, but that went unfulfilled. A battle needs to take place, with GPs becoming employees of the NHS and being paid a good rate for the job. Present partnerships must be put to the sword. MORDEY Greed As I am in my 80s, I am lucky enough to remember when being a doctor was a vocation, not just another job. Sadly, those days are gone. It appears that greed is now what motivates our young doctors. Why are they striking? Because they can. Do they care that people may die because of their actions? No. Paqs 'Wealthfare' state vs NHS spending How come we never have these "debates" when we spend on the "wealthfare" state (aka socialism for the rich), but must always have them whenever it's time to spend on anything else? I ask because even Big Oil and Big Pharma, the arms industry, etc., apparently need subsidies, tax relief, grants and sundry other largesse, while overworked NHS workers must live on food banks, or have their relative peanuts "debated." — Ryhope1 UK failed to retain its own medics The NHS has been subsidised by the developing world, who train its doctors and nurses since its inception. It is incapable of recruiting and retaining UK staff like me, who went to Australia as soon as I completed my training. Kwame The conversation isn't over. To join in, all you need to do is register your details, then you can take part in the discussion. 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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Wes Streeting warns junior doctors that going on strike for six months over pay would 'choke' NHS recovery - as poll shows public support plummeting
Wes Streeting warned junior doctors today that strike action would 'choke' the recovery of the NHS as he urged them to vote against a walk out in a row over pay. The Health Secretary squared up to the British Medical Association as a new poll suggested support for industrial action by medicals is falling. Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, in England are being balloted by the BMA for strike action which could last for six months. They are demanding a further 30 per cent uplift despite seeing their wages jump by 22.3 per cent last year. They have crippled the NHS by taking industrial action 11 times since 2022, forcing health bosses to cancel an estimated 1.5million appointments. But the British Medical Association is now threatening further walkouts unless Mr Streeting caves in again. But analysis by YouGov found that 48 per cent of Britons oppose the industrial action, while 39 per cent support it . YouGov said this 'marks a shift in opinion' of public support of striking junior doctors last summer, when the majority of Britons – 52 per cent – said they supported it. Writing in the Times, Mr Streeting said: 'We can't afford to return to a continuous cycle of stand-offs, strikes, and cancellations. 'Strikes should always be a last resort, and I don't think they are in anyone's interest today. 'I'm appealing to resident doctors to vote 'No' in the ballot, and instead continue the progress we've made, working together to rebuild our NHS.' Resident doctors said their pay has declined by '23 per cent in real terms since 2008'. If they choose to go on strike then walkouts could begin in July and could potentially last until January 2026. The Government accepted salary recommendations from pay review bodies earlier this month, resulting in an average 5.4 per cent rise for resident doctors. Writing for the newspaper, Mr Streeting stressed that 'we can't lose momentum', adding: 'There's so much more to do. But my message to anyone working in the health service is this: Stick with us. 'The NHS was broken, but it's not beaten. If we keep pulling together, we can turn it around.' A leading patients' organisation said it was 'deeply concerned' about the prospect of strike action over the busy winter period in the NHS. The Patients Association highlighted how previous strike action from doctors in training led to 1.3 million appointments, procedures and operations being postponed, with the true figure 'likely to be much higher'. BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt said in a statement: 'Patients are all too aware how much the NHS relies on its resident doctors. 'With the announcement of yesterday's ballot, many will understandably be concerned about how future strike action might affect them getting care but it's important to stress that strike action is not inevitable and can be avoided. 'The Government has the power to honour its previous commitment to map out and restore doctors' pay, avoiding strikes entirely. 'We're confident that patients will recognise that the value of doctors has not diminished since 2008, but that working conditions and pay have. 'Wes Streeting must now step forward with a solution that allows us to stay with our patients, off the picket lines, and remain in this country rather than being driven to seek work abroad where doctors' unique skills and expertise are more appropriately valued. 'As the population ages and care becomes more complex, we need to make sure we retain doctors in the UK.' The ballot will close on July 7.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
DR MAX: This insatiable demand for higher doctors' pay looks tawdry and cynical. It makes me want to rip up my BMA membership card
Junior doctors are threatening to strike again. So what, you might say? When are they not threatening a walk-out? In the past two years, they have taken industrial action 11 times. This makes me really angry. My medical union, the British Medical Association (BMA), is squandering public respect for doctors, mangling facts and pursuing Left-wing crusades with no regard for the cost to the health service.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Junior doctors are losing public's support over latest strike threat, poll reveals
JUNIOR doctors are losing the public's support over their latest strike threat, polling has shown. The hospital medics have this week started a ballot for a fresh wave of walkouts after being offered 5.4 per cent extra pay — despite getting a 22 per cent rise last year. 2 But public support for strikes has fallen from 52 per cent last summer to 39 per cent, in what pollsters from YouGov called a 'shift in opinion'. The British Medical Association called ministers' latest offer woefully inadequate. It says members will not wait for a stronger economy to get another bumper rise. More than a million appointments were cancelled in the last industrial action in 2023 and 2024. Rachel Power, chair of the Patients Association, said: 'More than 1.3million appointments were cancelled or rescheduled due to previous strike action and the total is likely to be much higher. 'It causes significant distress, pain and worsening health for patients, while placing additional pressure on remaining NHS staff. 'We respect resident doctors' right to take industrial action and we urgently call on the BMA and Government to intensify meaningful negotiations before the ballot closes on July 7. 'Patients have already suffered too much.' BMA leaders Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt said: 'Many will understandably be concerned about how future strike action might affect their care but it's important to stress that strike action is not inevitable and can be avoided. 'We're confident that patients will recognise that the value of doctors has not diminished since 2008, but that working conditions and pay have. ' Wes Streeting must now step forward with a solution.' Junior doctors branded 'irresponsible and dangerous' as they stage 11th strike with 5-day walkout 2
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
How long will Streeting hold out against the most militant union in the land?
Militant trade union action has become far less commonplace than it used to be. But one organisation remains as hard line as ever: the British Medical Association (BMA). It sent out ballot papers this week to junior doctors urging them to back strike action in support of a 25 per cent pay demand. Now known as 'resident' medics, they are threatening months of disruption despite seeing their pay jump by 29 per cent in just three years. During a recent protracted dispute they stopped work 11 times and forced the cancellation of an estimated 1.5 million appointments. It is unconscionable that the BMA is now prepared to inflict further misery on the public, most of whom have not seen anything like the pay rises enjoyed by its members. The doctors profess to cherish the NHS, yet by their actions they cut away at its ability to cope with financial and population pressures. When appointments are cancelled or operations postponed, patients have to go back to square one, often involving another trip to a GP for their treatment to be rescheduled. How many drop out at that point? The backlog of cases remains above seven million with no chance of a significant reduction if there is another dispute. The public, who might have had some sympathy for the doctors in the past, have evidently lost patience judging by recent opinion polls. Labour has made a rod for its own back by giving inflation-busting pay rises to others in the public sector. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, made much of the Tory failure to settle this dispute when he was in opposition. Now the boot is on the other foot. How long will he hold out against the most militant union in the land?
