Consultants and junior doctors in Lancashire hold first joint strike
Health leaders are warning this strike poses the 'biggest challenge' yet to NHS trusts up and down the country.
Consultants and junior doctors in Lancashire are holding their first ever joint strike, which is being described at the 'biggest challenge' yet for trusts up and down the country.
Thousands of members from the British Medical Association are walking out at NHS hospitals across England, with thousands of patient operations and appointments needing to be rescheduled.
Hospitals have put in place 'Christmas day' style rotas, meaning emergencies are prioritised but most routine work needs to be stopped.
We've been been speaking to Moataz Abdelrahman who is a consultant at Manchester Royal Infirmary, he tells us they have been left with no choice but to walk out: " We are in the breaking point, and we need to salvage this."
"It's not only just about pay, it is about the whole condition of work in the NHS. We don't want to be in this position, we don't want to have a combined industrial action with junior doctors. We have been forced into this"
As well as being out in force today (Wednesday 9th September), junior doctors will continue to strike on Thursday and Friday this week.
Further joint strikes by consultants and junior doctors are planned for October 2nd, 4rd and 4th.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said doctors who started their hospital training this year are receiving a 10.3% pay increase, with the average junior doctor getting 8.8%.
He says consultants are also receiving a 6% pay rise alongside "generous reforms to their pensions, which was the BMA's number one ask".
He adds " In the face of ongoing and escalating strike action, we will continue to take steps to protect patient safety and ensure the health service has the staff it needs to operate safely and effectively".