'I’d rather be at work': Leeds doctor disappointed its come to this as residents begin six-day strike
A resident doctor in Leeds has expressed his disappointment that strikes had to go ahead.
Starting 7am today (Monday, April 7), resident doctors at hospitals across the country will walkout for six days until 6.59am on April 13.
The latest industrial action come after the Government took a key part of its offer off the table, withdrawing 1,000 extra training places it had previously promised, saying it was no longer “financially or operationally” possible.
A group of around 30 doctors and their supporters picketed outside Leeds General Infirmary this morning with one at nearby St James’s expressing his disappointment strike action had to be taken.
“I’m truly disappointed. I’d rather be at work. I didn’t really think it was going to come to this,” said BMA rep Francesco Palazzo, an emergency medicine specialist trainee at St James’s Hospital.
“We’re on strike because the rug has been pulled out from underneath the negotiations at the last minute by the Government.”
Hundreds of staff, who are represented by GMB Union, recently voted 96 per cent to strike on an 80 per cent turnout after the most recent pay offer to its staff of 2.75 per cent was lower than the latest DDRB recommendation, which the BMA described as a “crushing blow”.
The Government announced that it was taking 1,000 additional training places off the table as the dispute intensified. But medics on the ground expressed their dismay at the news, saying there needs to be an increase in specialist training posts as this would help achieve the Government’s aim of cutting waiting lists.
Speaking to PA, Dr Palazzo explained that as a result of the waiting lists patients are sometimes waiting years for care because there aren’t enough specialists.
“My father has been waiting for two years for an operation on his shoulder and he’s been in pain this entire time,” he said. “And he’s unable to get that operation because there aren’t enough specialists working who can perform that operation for him.
“We’ve been arguing for years that we need an increase in specialist training posts and now the Government, at the last minute, has chosen to take those away and off the table.”
This is the 15th round of strikes by resident doctors - formerly known as junior doctors - in England since 2023.
The government has said the strikes were costing the NHS £50m a day, meaning the health service had lost around £3bn since industrial action started in March 2023 - but a detailed breakdown of costs has not been set out.
Speaking on Times Radio, Health Secretary Wes Streeting rejected claims by the BMA that they had taken the 1,000 additional training places off the table.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Times Radio: “I didn’t remove those training places, the BMA did when they rejected the deal – they seem to think they can have all of the benefits of the deal at the same time as rejecting it.
“The jobs are still there, but what the training places do is provide higher pay and career progression for those doctors, that’s what the BMA have rejected.”
Some hospital appointments and planned treatment may need to be rearranged as a result of the strikes, but patients are advised to attend any booked appointments unless you hear otherwise. Healthcare teams will contact you as soon as possible if your appointment needs to be changed.
If you or someone close to you needs medical help, please get advice about the most appropriate treatment option by using 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or calling 111 if you don’t have access to the internet. 999 and A&E departments are for the most serious or life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
Speaking ahead of the strikes, Dr James Thomas, Medical Director for the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said NHS teams across West Yorkshire would be working throughout the strike period to keep people safe and well, but warned that “services will be affected.”
“Our region’s hospitals and mental health trusts will be significantly impacted, as will some GP practices, and this will have a knock-on effect on other parts of the healthcare system,” he said.
“The safety and care of people who use our services is our highest priority, and it is important that people continue to use our services when they need them. That’s why we’re asking everyone to work with us to ensure they’re prepared for their medical needs during the strike action.”