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Doctors in UK begin five-day strike over pay, conditions amid flu surge
(MENAFN) Doctors across England began a five-day walkout on Wednesday, escalating an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions at a time when the national health system is warning of a sharp rise in severe flu cases. The industrial action comes amid mounting pressure on hospitals as seasonal illnesses spread rapidly.
Thousands of resident doctors have joined the strike, citing what their union describes as “the continuing failure of the government to make a credible offer on jobs or pay.” The walkout follows the rejection of a revised government proposal earlier this week, after negotiations failed to produce an agreement acceptable to medical staff.
According to statements released by doctors’ representatives, the government’s offer included plans to expand specialty training positions from 1,000 to 4,000 over the next three years.
Authorities also pledged to introduce emergency legislation in the coming year aimed at giving priority to UK-trained medical graduates for these posts. Despite these measures, a large majority of doctors voted against the proposal.
Figures show that 83% of participating doctors rejected the deal and chose to proceed with the planned strike action, underscoring the depth of dissatisfaction within the workforce.
The health secretary has pushed back strongly against doctors’ pay demands, arguing that a requested 26% salary increase over the coming years, in addition to last year’s 28.9% rise, is “totally unrealistic demand.”
The labor action coincides with growing concern inside hospitals. Health authorities recently warned that England’s healthcare system is approaching a “worst case scenario” this December due to a surge in what has been described as “super flu.” Data shows that during the first week of December, an average of 2,660 patients per day were hospitalized with flu — the highest figure ever recorded for this period and a 55% increase compared to the previous week.
Thousands of resident doctors have joined the strike, citing what their union describes as “the continuing failure of the government to make a credible offer on jobs or pay.” The walkout follows the rejection of a revised government proposal earlier this week, after negotiations failed to produce an agreement acceptable to medical staff.
According to statements released by doctors’ representatives, the government’s offer included plans to expand specialty training positions from 1,000 to 4,000 over the next three years.
Authorities also pledged to introduce emergency legislation in the coming year aimed at giving priority to UK-trained medical graduates for these posts. Despite these measures, a large majority of doctors voted against the proposal.
Figures show that 83% of participating doctors rejected the deal and chose to proceed with the planned strike action, underscoring the depth of dissatisfaction within the workforce.
The health secretary has pushed back strongly against doctors’ pay demands, arguing that a requested 26% salary increase over the coming years, in addition to last year’s 28.9% rise, is “totally unrealistic demand.”
The labor action coincides with growing concern inside hospitals. Health authorities recently warned that England’s healthcare system is approaching a “worst case scenario” this December due to a surge in what has been described as “super flu.” Data shows that during the first week of December, an average of 2,660 patients per day were hospitalized with flu — the highest figure ever recorded for this period and a 55% increase compared to the previous week.
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