Major pressure on health services in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire due junior doctor strike
It comes as local services are already seeing high demand due to the heat
Last updated 14th Jun 2023
Health bosses across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire are warning of a major disruption to services as junior doctors go on strike today on top of the hot weather.
Members of the British Medical Association are walking out for 72 hours.
They say the Government's pay offer of five percent is 'not credible'.
They also claim there urgently needs to be a pay rise partly to address morale but also to encourage more people into the profession,
Unfortunately with that beautiful weather comes a change in people's health
We also spoke to Shaun Stacey from the Trust which runs Scunthorpe and Grimsby hospitals about the impact there.
He said: "This strike is 3 days prior to the weekend - it's not like the previous strikes."
"At the moment health services are struggling mainly caused by the beautiful weather."
"Unfortunately with that beautiful weather comes a change in people's health."
"Grimsby and Scunthorpe emergency departments are seeing that rise in demand."
"It's three days of industrial action which will definitely bring some disruption to the normal running of our hospitals and I would like to apologise straight up to the public for that disruption."
We will still do our best to help
"But we will always prioritise providing care for people in the community, should they need us."
"We'll be still there."
"I would always encourage everyone if they're not sure whatever help they need to contact 111."
"We are here for here for the local population throughout this period of time."
"If people feel they have an urgent need then we are open for business as usual please present to the emergency department in the usual way and we'll do our very best to help and care for you."
Health Secretary Steve Barclay says strikes are damaging and disruptive.
Responding to the strike action Health Secretary Steve Barclay said:
"It is extremely disappointing the BMA is going ahead with further strike action.
This 72-hour walkout will put patient safety and our efforts to cut waiting lists at risk.
“During recent meetings with representatives of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee, we made a fair and reasonable opening offer and were discussing both pay and non-pay issues until they chose to end the talks by announcing new strike dates.
“If the BMA cancels these damaging and disruptive strikes and shows willingness to move significantly from their position, we can resume confidential talks and find a way forward, as we have done with other unions.