A dramatic eleventh-hour decision has suspended the planned four-day strike by resident doctors across England, averting significant disruption to patient care in A&E departments. The British Medical Association (BMA) received a new pay offer from the government on Saturday, which has prompted this last-minute change of plans.
Cheltenham General Hospital's A&E unit was due to close its doors temporarily and operate as a minor injury and illness unit until Friday. However, the BMA announced that it would no longer be proceeding with the industrial action, set to run from 07:00 on Monday until 06:59 on Friday - a move that marks the latest development in the ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged that some disruption for Monday's services was unavoidable due to the short notice. Nevertheless, health chiefs are expediting plans to reorganise appointments scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday. Patients have been advised to attend their planned appointments unless they receive direct notification from the NHS trust, indicating a cancellation or rescheduling.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctor committee, has confirmed that tens of thousands of frontline doctors will participate in a referendum to determine if the new offer is sufficient. While acknowledging that increasing the pay offer for the current year may not be feasible, Dr Fletcher noted progress in other critical areas, such as training places and working conditions.
According to NHS England data, industrial action has led to over 1.3 million appointments, procedures, and operations being cancelled or rescheduled since December 2022. The suspension of this latest strike offers a temporary reprieve for the NHS, allowing it to continue its efforts to reduce backlogs and provide essential care.