‘Unprecedented’ 1.1million NHS appointments cancelled due to junior doctors’ strikes – after 34 days of walkouts
MORE than a million NHS appointments have now been cancelled due to junior doctors’ strikes.
NHS figures show almost 1.1million appointments and procedures in hospitals and community and mental health clinics have had to be rescheduled since March.
It is the vast majority of the total from all NHS strikes – including consultants, nurses and ambulance crews – which has reached more than 1.4m.
Another 116,498 were affected by the record-breaking six-day walkout that ended this Tuesday.
Junior doctors have now refused to work for 34 days in the past 10 months.
An average of 25,600 medics downed tools on each weekday last week, along with 8,100 on Saturday and Sunday.
NHS medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “The longest strike in NHS history has led to unprecedented disruption for patients and their families.
“That cost is clear in these figures, which are likely to be even higher in reality.
“Medical leaders and frontline staff are telling us they are very concerned about the coming weeks as the cold weather bites and more people may need hospitalisation.
“The NHS will now be doing everything it can to make up for lost time.”
This and next week are expected to be even harder for the NHS as the flu season comes to a head.
The British Medical Association this week said “now is the time” for the Government to offer more cash to prevent another six months of strike misery.
Sir Julian Hartley, chief of NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, said: “Let’s hope that this strike is the last one.
“The government and unions must find a way to stop this dispute dragging on.”