Hospitals in East Midlands brace for one of the most disruptive strikes in NHS history
Junior doctors, consultants and radiographers are walking out today.
Last updated 3rd Oct 2023
A health chief said the NHS is in "uncharted territory" due to the strikes, with thousands of patient appointments expected to be cancelled today in the East Midlands.
We're being told Christmas Day level of staffing across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, with emergency care taking priority.
Dr Andy Ahyow, GP and deputy chief medical officer of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB said: "we have seen strike action before so the priority is that we have sufficient urgent care for those in need.
"We really want patients to be assured that we are doing what we can to minimise the impact of this on patient care.
"There are still services open and treating people to a very high standard."
Although they have their own separate disputes, Junior doctors and consultants are walking out on the same days, lasting Monday 2nd October to Wednesday 4th, lasting 72 hours.
The government has implemented a 6% pay rise for consultants and 6% plus a lump sum of £1,250 for junior doctors and has said there will be no further offers.
The British Medical Association (BMA), meanwhile, is calling for "full pay restoration" back to 2008/09 levels, saying pay has been eroded over several years.
The BMA said the wage for junior doctors has fallen 26% in between 2008 and 2022 and is little more than what baristas are paid working in a coffee shop.
Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said this week's strike action "can't become the status quo".
What's being said on the picket lines?
On the picket lines, paediatric radiographer Jess Winchcombe said doctors "deal with really sick treatments, emotionally and mentally there is a toll."
"If you're not being paid fairly and having to deal with that every day knowing that you're shift is probably going to be horrendous, why would you stay?"
The Society of Radiographers President, Dave Pilborough said: "There are not enough staff to do the job and that is mainly because they are not paid appropriately compared to other people in the public sector and in the private radiography sector."
"The government did not react the last time we walked out so we've coordinated with the doctors for it to have a major impact."
"People can't stay in the profession they love because it's not well enough paid.
"They are leaving to go abroad, they are leaving for the private sector and they are just leaving the NHS all together."
The government maintain they've given a fair pay offer which is final.