Q&A: Why are consultants in England going on strike?
Written under time pressure as part of an NCTJ course task
Consultants in England will strike from 25 November to 26 November, affecting services at hospitals across the country.
Only emergency hospital treatments will occur during this period.
Who are consultants?
Consultants are a kind of senior doctor. They work in hospitals or community settings, and are trained in a specialised area of medicine.
They lead teams of doctors, and are sometimes directly involved in treatment.
Every patient who is admitted to hospital will have a named consultant.
Why are they going on strike?
The British Medical Association (BMA) say that the role and status of consultants is being eroded, citing issues like long working hours and below-inflation pay increases.
They have provided a list of demands, including renegotiated pay, reduced working hours, and improved pay for out-of-hours work.
The action comes after a ballot last July, in which 76% of participating union members voted to strike.
The government is scheduled to meet the BMA on 5 November, to discuss potentially opening formal negotiations.
Can I still see my GP?
GP services will not be affected by this strike.
While GPs are sometimes described as “consultants in general practice”, they are not consultants in the traditional sense.
They provide general, personalised care to individuals rather than leading teams in hospitals.
What will happen to scheduled hospital procedures?
Without consultants, most clinical activity in hospitals cannot go ahead.
Non-emergency hospital treatments scheduled during the strike will likely be cancelled.
What if I need treatment on those dates?
If you fall ill during the strike, you should still be able to see your GP.
If you need emergency treatment, you may still be seen in hospital.
Most consultants will be on-call for emergency services, with service levels akin to those on Christmas Day.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
For non-emergency medical advice, call 111