On Wednesday, junior doctors in Britain initiated a six-day strike, marking the longest in the history of the state-funded National Health Service (NHS). The walkout, affecting England and Wales, led to the cancellation of tens of thousands of scheduled appointments and operations. Junior doctors, integral to hospital and clinic care, intend to stay off duty until 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Senior doctors and other medical professionals have been called in to cover emergency services, critical care, and maternity services during the strike.
The walkout adds strain to the NHS, already grappling with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and facing increased pressures due to flu and COVID. The ongoing series of strikes in the health sector over the past year, seeking pay rises to counter the rising cost of living, has further strained the healthcare system.
While nurses, ambulance crews, and senior doctors have reached pay deals with the government, the union representing junior doctors insists on a “credible” pay offer, leading to stalled negotiations. The government conditions further talks on the cancellation of the strike, creating an impasse. Dr. Vivek Trivedi, co-chair of the British Medical Association’s Junior Doctors Committee, emphasized the desire to negotiate a suitable offer rather than pursuing strikes.