Health Secretary criticizes doctors for harming patients

author: FutureCar Staff    

Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary, strongly criticized the junior doctors in England for their recent strike, accusing them of harming patients and wasting NHS funds. He expressed his disappointment in the walkout, stating that the money spent on it could have been better utilized in addressing the extensive waiting lists for medical care. According to figures, over 61,000 hospital appointments and operations had to be cancelled due to the four-day strike, during which the junior doctors refused to provide any care, even in emergency situations.

Meanwhile, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced that junior doctors in Scotland had voted overwhelmingly in favor of accepting a pay offer from the Scottish government. The union leaders proudly declared their achievement, highlighting a 12.4 per cent wage increase and a guarantee of pay rising in line with inflation until at least 2026/27. More than 80 percent of the junior doctors who participated in the BMA Scotland ballot voted to accept the offer, with a turnout of 71.24 percent.

In response to the strike in England, Steve Barclay demanded that the doctors put an end to their strikes and cease harming patients. He emphasized that the latest strike had led to the postponement of numerous appointments and procedures, resulting in potential harm to patients and significant financial costs for the NHS. Barclay also pointed out that first-year doctors in training were already receiving a 10.3 percent uplift and an average annual pay rise of 8.8 percent. He urged the BMA to call off the strikes, emphasizing that the pay award was final and that the disruption caused was unnecessary.

FutureCar Staff