The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced three additional five-day strikes by junior doctors in England, scheduled for October, November, and December. This follows a previously announced five-day walkout from 12 September, escalating what has become the worst industrial relations dispute in NHS history.
The strikes will take place from 08:00 to 17:00 BST on weekdays, with the October action running from Wednesday 5 October to Tuesday 11 October, excluding the weekend. The BMA said the government could avert the strikes by halting the imposition of a new contract, due to be rolled out from October.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt described the strikes as 'devastating news', predicting they would lead to the cancellation of 100,000 operations and one million appointments. Prime Minister Theresa May called on doctors to stop 'playing politics', giving her full backing to Mr Hunt and stating the NHS has 'record levels of funding'.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges said the proposed strikes were 'disproportionate', warning they would cause 'real problems for patients, the service and the profession'. Katherine Murphy of the Patients Association expressed 'grave concern', saying the strikes would have a 'catastrophic impact' on an already stretched NHS, especially approaching winter.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged Mr Hunt to negotiate with the BMA, stating junior doctors are the 'heart, soul, and lifeblood' of the NHS. The BMA's junior doctor leader, Dr Ellen McCourt, reiterated that the strikes could be called off if the government agrees not to impose the contract.
