NHS leaders urge BMA to consider patients and staff before calling more walk-outs

Responding to the end of the five-day resident doctor strikes, Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said:

“NHS leaders and their teams have worked incredibly hard to keep patients safe over these strikes and maintain as much activity as possible. But strikes will always cause disruption and many patients will have sadly had their tests, appointments and operations delayed or cancelled at short notice. 

"However, many patients will not have experienced any disruption whatsoever to their care and that is thanks to the NHS doing its best to keep the show on the road. It is welcome to hear from members that in many places fewer resident doctors have gone on strike and the impact has been less severe than previous walk-outs. 

“This does not take away from the frustration and inconvenience of patients who have had their vital care delayed and are now facing even longer waits in pain and discomfort. We know that delays can also lead to people’s conditions worsening or cause increased worry and stress - particularly if they are waiting for a critical diagnosis such as cancer.

“That is why we would urge the BMA to recognise that the government is not in a position to provide additional pay rises given the pressure on departmental budgets. Further strikes will cause yet more disruption, delay more treatments and increase the risk to patient safety. We hope the BMA will think about the impact strikes have had on patients and fellow staff before calling more walk-outs.”