Salary requirements for junior doctors unrealistic, health minister says

Up to 47,600 junior doctors will go out for 96 hours from 6:59 am April 11 to 6:59 am April 15. Credit: Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Salary demands for junior doctors will result in some receiving an 'unrealistic' £20,000 pay raise, Steve Barclay warned ahead of the latest strike.

Up to 47,600 junior doctors to leave for 96 hours from 6:59 am April 11 and 6.59 am April 15 in a wage dispute. The BMA is demanding a 35% pay rise to «fix 15 years of wage erosion.»

Ministers held a Cobra meeting last week with Mr Barclay and Oliver Dowden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Telegraph understands.

A government source said: “It was very tense. There were a lot of concerns about the impact of the strikes and concerns that the BMA chose these dates to have the maximum impact on all patients.”

Ministers said talks between the union and Mr. Barclay stalled after the union refused to back down or suspend action to participate in the talks. But the union said Mr Barclay could prevent strikes if he made a «credible offer.»

In an article for The Telegraph, the health minister said he appreciates «the important work that junior doctors do every day.» . » and confirmed that he wants to see «a fair deal that will increase their earnings.»

But he added: “I think the public also expects any deal to be fair to taxpayers and not jeopardize our efforts to fight inflation. Asking for a raise that is more than eight times the OBR [Fiscal Responsibility Office] forecast as inflation clearly falls short of that criterion.”

Upcoming strikes

Mr Barkley said the union's 35 percent demand was «far at odds with payroll calculations in other parts of the public sector at a time of significant economic pressure on our country.»

For some junior doctors, an increase of that size would mean they would be receiving more than an additional £20,000 a year, he added. As a result, a medic with a current salary of over £57,000 will be raised to £77,000 a year.

This comes after other health workers unions and the government agreed on a pay deal consisting of a five percent pay increase next year and a bonus of up to six percent for the current fiscal year. Members of the Royal College of Nursing, among others, are voting to accept the proposal.

But talks between the BMA and ministers have stalled because the leaders of the committee of junior doctors are of an «unrealistic view». position,” Mr. Barclay said.

“They appear to be intent on maintaining a militant stance rather than working with the government and NHS leadership to serve the interests of their members and patients,” he added.< /p>

During the last 72-hour exit month, more than 175,000 appointments and elective procedures were canceled or postponed. More than 250,000 appointments are expected to be affected as a result of the latest action.

Poll of young doctors on the strike

The Health Minister also warned that this week's action is likely to cause a «significantly greater disruption» than any of the previous ones strikes as it coincides with the Easter holiday, school holidays, Ramadan and Passover.

Trusts will have fewer employees, he said, to fill gaps among striking workers, leading to «chain effects» for service both before and after the action.

«During strikes, the NHS will prioritize essential services, including emergency care, resuscitation, maternity care, neonatal care and trauma care. But I am concerned that these strikes pose a significant risk to patient safety,” he added.

The senior doctors also warned that the strikes could put patients at risk of 10 days of «stress and disruption.»

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Dr Mike Greenhalgh, deputy co-chair of the BMA's committee of junior doctors, said on the BBC One show Saturday' s Breakfast: «It's hard to negotiate when there's only one side doing it and we get nothing in return.» government on this front.

“We are happy to meet at any time. We'll still meet him over the holiday weekend before the strike next week. And even if he made us a credible offer, it might still, even at this late stage, prevent action.”

Dr. Greenhalgh apologized to patients who had their operations or appointments cancelled, insisting that the safety of patients will not be put at risk.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare insists that the BMA cancel strikes for any negotiations.

Professor Sir Stephen Powys, National Service Health England's Medical Director said: «The next round of strikes will result in an unprecedented level of disruption and we are very concerned about the potential severity of the impact on patients and services across the country.»

"This time, action follows immediately a four-day holiday weekend, which is already challenging as many employees take much-needed time off, and it will be bigger than ever before as hospitals face nearly 100 hours off work. up to half of the NHS medical staff."