Cumbrian junior doctors strike in dispute over pay
They're walking out for the next five days
Junior doctors at hospitals across Cumbria are walking out from today in its long-running dispute over pay.
Members of the British Medical Association will be taking its 11th-round of strike action across the country for the next five days, between 7am today (Thursday 27th June) and 7am on Tuesday 2nd July.
Dr. George Rae, a member of the North East regional medical committee, said: "But to be honest, years of devaluing doctors' professional expertise along with the rising demand and the dwindling resources which have gone into the National Health Service, it's driving too many colleagues to leave even indeed the United Kingdom.
"I honestly think that if politicians value doctors, it's now the time to prove it. Politicians have had over a year's notice about what's happening with junior doctors and there's been plenty of time to put a credible offer on the table.
"Any future Government of any political party will know that to sort waiting lists, they need to immediately end the on-going industrial action of junior doctors and invest urgently in restoring the National Health Service to be fit for purpose.
"I don't think there's any doubt that there'll be some disruption over the next five days as far as appointments, procedures, operations and so forth which have been planned. I think most people realise that they'll have to be cancelled.
"Safety is paramount and that is why there's been plenty of notice given to hospitals, to hospital trusts right across England so that they can plan ahead. They know what's going to happen, they know when it's going to happen. If something really significant happened then junior doctors would go back."
Dr Neil O’Brien, chief medical officer at North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The strike action will inevitably cause some disruption, but we have detailed plans in place to make sure services run safely, and we’re asking everyone in the region to do their bit.
"Urgent and emergency services will still be open for people who really need them, and if you're seriously unwell it’s important that you get help. For anything else, please contact NHS 111, your GP practice, an urgent treatment centre or a community pharmacy. All these services will be open as usual during the industrial action."
Junior doctors make up around half of the doctors in the NHS. They are qualified doctors who have up to eight years’ experience as a hospital doctor, or up to three years in general practice.
In response to the strikes, a spokesperson for the North Cumbria Integrated Care Trust said: "The Trust is currently working through our plans to make sure that patient safety is prioritised and any disruption that may be caused by the junior doctors’ right to strike is kept to a minimum. We will contact patients directly if their appointment needs to be rescheduled. Please make sure you come to your appointment unless we contact you to advise otherwise."
Key NHS services
- NHS 111 online which includes a symptom checker and will re-direct you to a health professional if you need medical attention.
- Telephone 111.
- Self-care advice is available online from the NHS at www.nhs.uk.
- Details of local pharmacy services are available at www.nhs.uk.
- Families can also download the Healthier Together app for advice on common childhood illnesses and when to get medical help. Healthier Together is available from the App Store and Google Play.
Anyone needing urgent mental health support can get help by calling 111 and choosing option 2.