(CMR) Thousands of British doctors walked off the job on Wednesday, the start of a six-day strike over pay; this is expected to be the longest strike in the history of the state-funded National Health Service.
According to the Associated Press, managers said tens of thousands of appointments and operations would be postponed because of the walkout across England by junior doctors, those in the first years of their careers. The doctors, who form the backbone of hospital and clinic care, plan to stay off the job until 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Senior doctors and other medics have been drafted to cover emergency services, critical care and maternity services. Thousands of doctors also striked last year as they continue to demand better wages.
In a statement, the British Medical Association (BMA) urged the government to make a “credible” pay offer to end the strikes, which threaten to increase the pressure on the health service, where there are more than 7.7 million on waiting lists seeking treatment.
“Morale across the health service is at an all-time low … Many will be wondering if their chosen career is still worth pursuing – the government has the chance to show those doctors they still have a future working in this country,” the BMA said.
The government, which has agreed new pay deals with other healthcare workers, including nurses and senior doctors in recent months, has resisted hikes it says would worsen inflation.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid