Last day of junior doctor strikes

A member of a picket line in Chertsey said he'd "definitely like to see a start to negotiations."

Junior doctors on the picket line at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey
Author: Alex DukePublished 14th Apr 2023

Today is the final day of a four-day strike by junior doctors across the country.

Since Tuesday, thousands of junior doctors have been striking for a number of reasons including full pay restoration, calling for a pay increase of 35%.

The British Medical Association has claimed junior doctors in England have seen a 26% real-terms pay cut since 2008/09 because pay rises have been below inflation.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay called the demand for a 35% pay rise "unreasonable".

The conciliation service has said it is "well-prepared and ready to help", and the British Medical Association is urging ministers to get round the table to try to break the deadlock between the parties.

"On a picket line at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey yesterday, Declan Hinds, who works on the palliative care ward, said that "over the past 10, 12 years, we've seen a deterioration in the conditions that doctors have been working in. That's been leading to problems both within the workforce but also for patients as well, as we lose doctors and there are less people around to help care for patients.

"I'm here just to show people what we're wanting, talk to people and hopefully fight for pay restoration.

"I would like to see the government and Steve Barclay sit down and talk to the BMA, so that we can try and figure this out."

Yesterday Home Office minister Chris Philp said the junior doctors committee should halt "extremely damaging strike action" in order for discussions take place.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it remains open to considering a role for Acas but reiterated talks cannot take place until junior doctors drop their demand for a 35% pay increase and end the strike.

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