NHS Confederation responds to second day of junior doctors' strikes

Responding to the second day of industrial action by junior doctors, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“We are now in the middle of the second round of industrial action by junior doctors and while members are telling us that the NHS is holding firm, the full impact will not be known straight away. NHS staff are doing all they can to minimise disruption, but with junior doctors making up nearly two fifths of an already understaffed workforce, NHS leaders are understandably worried about the further impact this walkout will have on their services.

“Our members have scaled back elective operations and appointments to prioritise emergency care and other areas of care. They have planned well, with many telling us they do not think they will have to cancel more procedures than they already have. Despite this, the national situation continues to be fragile – not least because the strikes follow the Easter weekend when more NHS staff tend to be on leave.

“The good news is that many of our members are reporting good levels of cover being provided by consultants, SAS doctors and other healthcare professionals, with many expressing gratitude towards their clinical teams and commending their professionalism. But many leaders acknowledge that it has been more difficult to plan rotas this time round, particularly during a busy holiday period, and are concerned about the reduced resilience they have to cope with any potential unforeseen absence.

“Mental healthcare continues to be a growing concern. One leader told us that half their workforce are junior doctors and the previous week was highly pressured to get services covered. Another leader said they have been given no additional budget to cover the cost of the strikes, but have also been told not to hold back on spending to deal with the industrial action.

“Our members will want the public to continue to come forward if they need care or treatment. That includes calling 999 in an emergency and using 111 services where appropriate. Also, we would encourage the public to attend their appointments as planned unless they are contacted in advance and told that their appointment will be rescheduled.

“Finally, we continue to urge the government and unions to resume talks to find a way through this damaging impasse. For the sake of patients, we have called for the BMA and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to engage with Acas over the dispute around junior doctors pay, to help bring the current industrial action to an end.”