Junior doctors walked out over pay for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as health leaders warned that emergency departments continue to face “very high pressure” as a result of the strikes.
Tens of thousands of junior doctor members of the British Medical Association (BMA) joined picket lines across England at 7am on Monday in a bitter pay dispute.
Hospitals continued to function effectively as consultants stepped in to cover for junior doctors, but NHS bosses have warned that thousands of operations and procedures are likely to be cancelled. Patients have been told to attend appointments unless told not to do so.
The BMA says junior doctors’ pay has fallen in real terms by 26 per cent since 2008/09 and reversing this would require a 35.3 per cent pay rise.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “Even with consultants and staff from other services working together to fill shifts, emergency care and other departments are still facing very high pressure.
“Health leaders expect this to continue over the next two strike days and beyond, particularly when those putting in extra work now need to take time off in lieu.”
He added: “There are no winners in the current standoff between the BMA and the Government. On behalf of our members and the communities they serve, we urge both sides of this dispute to compromise and bring these strikes to an end.”
The BMA have rejected Health Secretary Steve Barclay’s invitation for talks to end the dispute, claiming there were “unacceptable” pre-conditions attached.
Dr Rob Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the BMA’s junior doctor committee, said: ““Patients and doctors want a quick end to this dispute, but it seems the Government want to prolong it. So, we are asking him to drop the barriers he has put in place and start talking – doctors and patients deserve nothing less.”
Mr Barclay said: “It is incredibly disappointing the British Medical Association (BMA) has declined my offer to enter formal pay negotiations on the condition strikes are paused.
“I want to find a fair settlement which recognises the crucial role of junior doctors and the wider economic pressures facing the UK.”
Separate negotiations with the unions representing nurses, paramedics and physiotherapists to find a pay settlement will continue this week.
It comes as members of several trade unions will strike on Budget day on Wednesday in what will be one of the biggest single days of industrial action for years.
Workers taking action include civil servants, teachers, university staff, London Underground drivers and BBC journalists.
