UK Christmas strikes: Doctors in Wales 'willing' to join strike for first time

According to the BMA's Welsh Council chairwoman, Dr. Iona Collins, a recent survey by the British Medical Association indicates that almost 75% of the doctors surveyed have voiced their concurrence to joining strikes or taking some form of industrial action.

While Dr. Collins believes it would be difficult for doctors to dump patients and leave work, underfunding the health service is affecting clinical care, and the patients are the ultimate suffers. She feels that the clock is ticking for doctors to take the ultimate step of a strike. Otherwise, the patients will continue to suffer due to poor service facilities.


All is not well with the National Health Service

The indication of the doctors’ strike comes only a week after the walkouts by nurses and the strike by ambulance staff throughout the country demanding better wages and conditions. The Welsh Government, however, expressed solidarity with the doctors and their medical staff and said they are working out a sustainable solution to the cost-of-living issue that affects all categories of people.

FAQs:

1. What is the pay expectation of the Welsh doctors?
   On the pay front, the doctors demand that their pay should be in line with the cost of living. To be specific, they require salaries that match inflationary increases.
2. Why are doctors leaving the Welsh health services?
   Pay and service issues are the primary reason doctors leave the health service. Poor service conditions are an additional reason. Moreover, changes in the NHS pension taxation rules have affected senior doctors financially, and they are now paying more tax than their overtime earnings.