Abandon damaging strikes, Starmer pleads with doctors

Sir Keir Starmer made a last-minute appeal to resident doctors last night to avert the “damaging road” of industrial action, as thousands begin a five-day walkout.

- REBECCA THOMAS HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

NHS hospitals face the first day of a five days of strike action from resident doctors as they will take to picket lines across England from 7am today.

Sir Keir wrote in The Times that the strikes threatened to “turn back the clock on progress we have made in rebuilding the NHS” and that they could impact the health service’s recovery.

He said: “The route the BMA Resident Doctors Committee have chosen will mean everyone loses. My appeal to resident doctors is this: do not follow the BMA leadership down this damaging road. Our NHS and your patients need you.”

The prime minister added: “Most people do not support these strikes. They know they will cause real damage.

“Behind the headlines are the patients whose lives will be blighted by this decision. The frustration and disappointment of necessary treatment delayed. And worse, late diagnoses and care that risks their long-term health.

“It’s not fair on patients. It’s not fair on NHS staff who will have to step in for cover for those taking action. And it is not fair on taxpayers.”

Resident doctors, previously called junior doctors, will stage a five-day walkout from today until Wednesday.

NHS healthcare leaders have warned that the strike action will plunge the health service into disruption and the blame for industrial action lies squarely with the British Medical Association (BMA).

Speaking ahead of resident doctors beginning five days of strike action, Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals, said: “The NHS and patients are bracing themselves for five disruptive days of strike action. NHS leaders are doing everything they can to make sure patients are kept safe and as many people as possible can still get the treatment they need.