Junior doctors in England have embarked on a four-day strike, commencing from 7am on Friday, 11th August, and set to end at 7am on Tuesday, 15th August. The strike, organised by the British Medical Association (BMA), marks the fifth such action by junior doctors in their ongoing pay dispute.
The heart of the matter lies in the BMA’s demand for a substantial 35% pay rise. The association cites 15 years of below-inflation wage increases as the justification for this claim. In contrast, the government’s most recent offer to the junior doctors was an increment of 6% in addition to a £1,250 bonus. This equates to an average increase of almost 9%.
However, this offer has been dismissed by the BMA, pushing them to call for the latest strike. The government has maintained that their proposal aligns with the recommendation made by the independent pay review body and have expressed that there will be no further negotiations on the matter.
The ongoing dispute has raised concerns over the potential impact on patient care during the strike days. Both the BMA and NHS trusts have reiterated their commitment to ensuring patient safety and are employing contingency plans to manage the situation.
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