Rishi Sunak slams striking junior doctors for ‘stalling’ NHS backlog progress
Rishi Sunak has blasted striking unions for “stalling” attempts to tackle record backlogs in the NHS.
The PM urged junior doctors to accept their pay offer so “we can all get back to treating patients and getting those waiting lists down”.
During a visit to Milton Keynes University Hospital yesterday, Mr Sunak said: “I’m pleased that we’ve practically eliminated the number of people waiting two years.
“Earlier this year we practically eliminated the number of people waiting one-and-a-half years.
“Unfortunately, the progress that we were making has stalled because of the industrial action.”
At least 7.6 million patients were waiting to start treatment at the end of June, up from 7.5 million in May, NHS England has revealed.
The figure is the highest since records began in 2007. Mr Sunak said the NHS is “grappling with the aftermath” of Covid, while waiting lists in Labour-run Wales are “far higher than they are in England”.
He insisted yesterday’s £250million announcement to create 900 new hospital beds “is another step” on the “journey to a better performing NHS, delivering better care for people, particularly this winter”.
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The hope is that the funding boost will cut waiting times and ease pressure on the health service. Meanwhile the Government announced there will be no more pay talks as the latest walkouts by junior doctors in England ended.
Health minister Will Quince insisted negotiations are over as the four-day strike finished at 7am yesterday.
It is the fifth time junior doctors in the British Medical Association have staged industrial action in England.
Mr Quince said: “It’s hugely disappointing that the junior doctors of the BMA and the consultants are still taking industrial action.
“And that’s despite the Government having accepted in full the recommendations of the independent pay review body.
“Take junior doctors for example – we accepted the recommendation, which is an average of 8.8 percent or 10.3 percent for new doctors just starting out in training.
“The Prime Minister has been really clear that the discussion on pay is now closed.
“My door remains open to discuss other issues around working environments and conditions but pay is closed and I think that’s the right decision.”
The Government announced in July that junior doctors will receive pay rises of 6 percent, along with an additional consolidated £1,250 increase.
Hospital consultants are to be awarded a 6 percent boost.
NHS officials have suggested that the latest action will lead to thousands of appointments, operations and procedures being postponed.
Meanwhile, hospital consultants are also set to stage their own walkout on August 24 and 25.
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