Public wants to ban NHS doctors strikes

HEALTH SERVICE UNDER PRESSURE

- Lucy Johnston

DOCTORS should be banned from striking, half of the public believe – after medics were accused of earning more during action by “gaming the system”.

The walkouts are estimated to have cost taxpayers £1 billion to date, as well as adding to an NHS waiting list of more than 7.5 million patients.

Doctors can earn more by covering for striking colleagues, with some consultants earning up to £3,000 per shift.

Before last week’s action, one cancer specialist sparked outrage by boasting he would “make the Government pay” by both striking and working.

Dr Clive Peedell, who is a consultant in Middlesbrough, insisted his lucrative actions would “avoid patient harm”.

He tweeted: “As a cancer specialist, I’ll be striking again tomorrow. Can only realistically strike for one day.

“All patients will be seen on Wednesday in an ad hoc clinic.

“I’ll claim this clinic back at a higher rate of pay. That’s how I can strike, avoid patient harm, but still make government pay.”