NHS bosses say next week’s junior doctors’ strike will pose an unprecedented danger to patients – with one warning: ‘Worried doesn’t begin to describe it.’
Up to 47,600 medics below the rank of consultant will refuse to cover shifts for four consecutive days, including A&E and cancer departments, in pursuit of a 35 percent pay raise.
The strike will be the largest in healthcare history and is expected to result in the cancellation of at least 250,000 appointments and surgeries.
Health chiefs say its impact will be greater than any previous picket, as it comes after the holiday Easter weekend, when there is usually a spike in pent-up demand, and because fewer consultants will be available to cover striking juniors, as many will. being on vacation.
It means that even critical services such as emergency rooms and maternity units are likely to operate with a skeleton staff.
Young doctors on a picket line outside St Thomas’ Hospital in central London during their first strike earlier this month
Nearly 325,000 surgeries and appointments have been canceled due to NHS strikes this winter
NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, issued the warning after speaking to its members about the risks of the latest strike.
It warns that the action brings a series of challenges “in addition to the disruption of industrial action in recent months.”
Managers say they are working to mitigate the impact, but emphasize that its timing makes it “more difficult to ensure patient safety.”
During the strike, the NHS will focus resources on emergency treatment, critical care, maternity, neonatal care and trauma.
But even in these areas there are “real concerns about increased security risk,” NHS Providers added.
A director of a hospital trust said, “This isn’t so much about breaking up some scheduled routine work as it is all about maintaining safety in emergency departments, acute medicine and surgery.”
He added, “Worried doesn’t begin to describe it.”
Junior doctors walked out for three consecutive days last month, leading to the cancellation of 175,000 surgeries and appointments, but basic coverage was maintained as consultants worked extra shifts on wards.
However, another hospital director said, “I am not confident that we can maintain patient safety this time as we cannot provide the coverage.”
A third said, “Many of the consultants who stepped in to do nights last time are unavailable this time or are more reserved.”
And another commented, “Those with families almost certainly won’t, as they can’t reschedule outside of school holidays.”
The strike comes as the NHS struggles to deal with record waiting lists of 7.2 million, with union action leaving people in pain for longer.
Sir Julian Hartley, CEO of NHS Providers, said: ‘It is clear from our extensive dialogue with trust leaders that we are in uncharted territory.
‘We see that colleagues are doing everything they can to keep the inconvenience to a minimum and to guarantee patient safety.
“But the challenges here are unprecedented.
“It is particularly important during the strike that the public continue to turn to the NHS in an emergency. No expense is spared to provide the care they need.
‘But for less urgent cases, people should, if possible, first consult online 111 for appropriate treatment and advice.
Even now it is not too late for the two parties to this dispute, the government and the unions, to recognize the seriousness of the situation and step back from the abyss.
“We need a solution to prevent further strikes, and we need it now.”
While most of the focus has been on hospitals during recent strikes, there has also been significant concern among mental health leaders and community trust.
One told NHS Providers: ‘Don’t forget mental health – our services are always very hot.
“Asking consultants to cover junior doctors increases risk through the acute mental health pathway as other vital work is not done.”