DOCTORS 'HOLD PATIENTS TO RANSOM' WITH PAY DEMAND

“Irresponsible' medics threaten to quit UK if they do not get another huge rise

- Giles Sheldrick

DOCTORS "holding patients to ransom' have threatened to quit the NHS and work abroad unless they get inflationbusting pay rises.

The ultimatum comes as hospital medics prepare to turn their backs on the sick and strike from Friday despite last year's Labour settlement.

Walkout

The five-day walkout in demand of a 29% hike is the 12th round of action since 2023 and threatens to bring the health ser vice to its knees.

Professor Karol Sikora, a former NHS consultant and world-renowned oncologist, said: "It's small wonder that longsuffering patients feel betrayed. They're being held to ransom. Doctors should stop striking and start treating patients." The walkout comes after a huge rise of 22.3% over two years for resident - formerly known as junior doctors after Sir Keir Starmer's party got into power last year.

Shadow Health Secretary Ed Argar said: "These strikes are irresponsible, unnecessary and wrong and should be called off now.

"We warned Labour that giving in to union demands last year with their inflation-busting, no strings attached deal, would only see them coming back for more.

"And, surprise, surprise, they have, in a slap in the face to the public and patients who will pay the price of these strikes.

"The Conservatives, under new leadership, have a clear message to the Health Secretary - he must stand up to this kind of blackmail and protect the NHS and patients from union overreach." The five-day strike could see more than 200,000 appointments scrubbed despite doctors being awarded a 5.4% rise on average this year. They want this increased to 29% to return them to "real terms" pay levels seen in 2008.