UK Junior doctors strike starts today
UK Junior doctors strike starts today
- Hospitals in England are facing major disruption as junior doctors have gone on strike in a dispute with the government over a new contract.
- The doctors are providing emergency cover only during the 24-hour walkout, which got under way at 08:00 GMT.
- The NHS has so far postponed 4,000 routine treatments, while appointments and tests are also being hit.
- NHS chiefs said plans were in place to protect patients, despite David Cameron warning they could be put at risk.
“Two-thirds of the public back the junior doctor strike, new polling has revealed, as walkouts involving thousands of medics commence throughout England.
In a blow for the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, 66 per cent of people in an IPSOS Mori poll for the Health Service Journal said they support junior doctors walking out from all but emergency care.
Support for a strike that would also affect A&E and other emergency services – as is planned for next month – is lower, with only 44 per cent backing; but this is still higher than the 39 per cent who said they opposed such action.
Mixed feelings among patients ahead of junior doctors’ strike
Up to 38,000 junior doctors could take part in 24 hour strike action starting at 8am. Pickets will be held at around 100 hospitals throughout England, in the most significant strike by medical staff in 40 years.
A direct plea from the Prime Minister to call off the strike was expected to be ignored, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he had sent a message of support to junior doctors and warned that many would want to leave the NHS if the dispute with the Government was not resolved. “ source: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/junior-doctors-strike-two-thirds-of-public-back-action-as-walkout-looms-a6806601.html
