World · 7 d ago
Consultant doctors in England to strike for two days in November
Nov
25
Wednesday
Hospitals in England
Consultants will walk out on Nov 25 and 26 in a dispute over pay and hours. Hospitals will run with emergency cover only, as on Christmas Day.
The British Medical Association says consultants' pay has fallen 25 per cent in real terms since 2009-10, and they want a 10 per cent cut in working hours. It called last week's 2.4 per cent pay offer for next year the last straw.
Voted for strike action
76 % of those who took part
In the strike ballot, 76 per cent of consultants who took part voted in favour, with just over half of eligible union members voting. The government says that is only about one in five NHS consultants in England.
NHS leaders said non-urgent appointments, planned surgery and follow-ups would be postponed, at a time when more than 6 million patients are waiting for treatment. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper called the strike “irresponsible”.
