Disruption expected but urgent care to continue as junior doctors stage 72-hour walkout

Urgent and life-threatening care will continue to be provided during second junior doctors strike in Wales this week, however patients are being warned of significant disruption to other services.

Junior doctors represented by BMA Cymru Wales will stage a 72 hour full walkout from Wednesday 21 February

The union, which will also hold a 96 hour full walkout from Monday 25 March, announced the additional strike action after the Welsh Government failed to produce a credible offer to end the dispute.

Junior doctors are calling for their pay to be restored in line with inflation back to 2008 levels.

The industrial action could see more than 3,000 doctors with up to 11 years of experience out of medical school withdraw their labour from Welsh hospitals and GP surgeries across Wales in pursuit of a fairer deal for their service

Ahead of the industrial action which starts on Wednesday, Health Minister Eluned Morgan has said the Welsh Government are always open to further talks but they don’t have the budget available to increase the pay deal.

“We are disappointed that junior doctors have decided to take further industrial action in Wales, but we understand their strength of feeling about our 5% pay offer,” said Eluned Morgan.

“Our offer is at the limits of the finances available to us and reflects the position reached with the other health unions. But we will continue to press the UK Government to pass on the funding necessary for full and fair pay rises for public sector workers.

“We remain committed to working in social partnership with the British Medical Association and are always open to have more talks.”

Health Minister Eluned Morgan

Head of NHS Wales, Judith Paget, has urged everyone to help reduce the burden on the NHS by considering other options to attending hospital, unless they need urgent care.

“As during the last strike we welcome the collaborative approach on patient safety taken by the British Medical Association,” said NHS Wales Chief Executive, Judith Paget.

“We have been working with them and NHS organisations to ensure patient safety is protected during the industrial action.

“We expect significant disruption to non-emergency and elective activities during the industrial action, with much work already been postponed. During the last strike around 41% of outpatient appointments and 61% of operations were postponed across Wales.

“We expected services during the industrial action to resemble those generally provided on a Bank Holiday.

“However, if you have a critical need to attend an emergency department you should still do so.

“But we are also urging everyone to consider the best option for them, including 111 online or phone service, or their local pharmacy.”

Commenting on the strike action Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu and Dr Peter Fahey co-chairs of BMA Cymru Wales’ junior doctors committee said: “After our last round of action, we wrote to the minister for health and social services, and we remain ready to enter discussions if a credible offer is presented by the Welsh Government.

“No doctor wants to strike, but whilst those in power fail to grasp the seriousness of the situation and the strength of feeling amongst our members we feel we have been left with no choice.

“We can no longer accept the unacceptable. After years of undervaluing our lifesaving service, our resolve has never been stronger.”