Senior doctors condemn junior doctors' plans for more strikes

Junior doctors plan a series of five day strikes over the coming months which senior doctors said will put patients’ lives at risk.

A week of strikes has been scheduled from 08:00-17:00 on 12-16 September, marking the most prolonged period of strike action since the dispute began. Another three strikes have been scheduled for October, November and December.

Despite the British Medical Association supporting the action, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC) said it was “disappointed” and the proposed strikes were disproportionate.

The strikes are in opposition to the new junior doctor contract which will be put into action from October.

"The government has consistently said this is about creating a seven-day NHS, when junior doctors already work weekends and it's been shown that the government has no answer to how it will staff and fund extra weekend care," said BMA junior doctor leader Dr Ellen McCourt.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges,on the other hand feel, strikes are not the appropriate answer. "We know there are genuine concerns about the contract and working arrangements, but we do not consider the proposed strikes are proportionate. Five days of strike action, particularly at such short notice, will cause real problems for patients, the service and the profession," said the AOMRC in a statement

According to health secretary Jeremy Hunt, this month’s strike will lead to the cancellation of 100,000 operations and 1m appointments.

Prime Minister Theresa May defended the contract saying it’s “safe for patients” and called on the junior doctors to stop “playing politics”.

The opposition from senior doctors has raised questions over whether the industrial action will go ahead as some were expected to cover for the junior doctors during the strikes.

Chief executive of Nuffield Trust Nigel Edwards said the strikes could have a long-term impact on hospital funding, which could be cut because of cancellations.

"They are all in quite serious financial trouble and if they lose three weeks' worth of planned care income, that is a big deal," said Edwards.