Junior doctors across Wales have embarked on a three-day strike over pay as the Welsh Government and hospital leaders warn that the health service is under pressure.
More than 3,000 doctors could take industrial action during the suspension period, which is scheduled to begin at 7am on Monday and last until 7am on Thursday. The Welsh NHS Federation, which represents health boards in Wales, said the strike would coincide with one of the “highest pressure weeks of the year, following the significant winter pressures of recent weeks”.
Welsh Health Minister Erned Morgan said the impact on services was expected to be significant, but added that urgent and life-threatening cases would continue to be treated. The suspension follows an unprecedented six-day strike by Britain's junior doctors, which ended last week, with more than 110,000 patients having their appointments canceled.
Doctors trade union BMA Cymru Wales said the vote to strike was part of a campaign to restore pay levels, which have fallen by almost a third since 2008-09, when they began to fall in real terms. He claims that his eyesight is decreasing. .
Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu and Dr Peter Fahey, co-chairs of the BMA Cymru Wales Junior Doctors Committee, said: We hoped that the Welsh Government would appreciate the strength of feeling among young Welsh doctors. Sadly, their inaction on this issue has left us here today feeling depressed, frustrated, and angry. ”
The union said doctors would stand on a picket line outside Wales' main hospital site and take their concerns to members of the Senedd at a large demonstration planned for Tuesday. The Welsh Junior Doctors Board decided to vote on its members in August after the Welsh Government proposed a 5% arrangement.
Babs-Osibodu and Mr Fahey said: “Our members are being forced to make this difficult decision as junior doctors in Wales have experienced a real pay cut of 29.6% over the past 15 years.
The Health Secretary said it would not be possible to restore the salaries of junior doctors in Wales without a significant increase in funding from the UK Government.
“While we are disappointed that junior doctors voted in favor of industrial action, we understand the strength of feeling among BMA members,” Mr Morgan said. “The UK Government has failed to adequately fund public services for the past 13 years. If the economy had grown at the same pace as it has since 2010, the Welsh Government budget would have been £3bn higher in 2024-25. I would have done it.”