STRIKING doctors have rejected bosses’ pleas to return to work as hospitals warn they are “exceptionally busy” with some declaring critical incidents.
The NHS is two days into a six-day strike which leaders said comes at the worst possible time.
EPAMany hospitals warn their A&E and minor injury units are very busy[/caption]
Picket line medics have been accused of causing “unforgivable” harm to patients who have been told not to go to A&E except in a life-threatening situation.
Strike leaders at the British Medical Association today sparked a row as it emerged they have refused at least 19 out of 20 requests for hospital staff to return to work.
The process, known as a derogation, is an agreed fail-safe in case there are not enough staff to provide emergency or critical care.
The BMA accused hospital trusts and NHS England of abusing the system and trying to call staff back without exhausting other options.
Health service chiefs have hit back and said they were all genuine safety concerns.
Matthew Taylor, chief of the NHS Confederation, said: “A number of NHS trusts have declared critical incidents, with pressure likely to get worse as the walkout continues this week.”
The BMA claimed NHS bosses are bowing to political pressure to push back against the unions.
Hospitals say they are facing “significant demand” just a day into the strike, with huge numbers of people visiting with Covid, flu and other viral infections.
Casualty patients face all-day waits in some places as Bolton NHS trust warned delays could stretch to 11 hours.
At least two hospital trusts, in Portsmouth and Nottinghamshire, have declared critical incidents meaning they are struggling to run normally.
Nick Hulme, chief of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust, said “patients are paying the price” of the strikes.
He said: “This has absolutely decimated our plans to attack long waiting times.”
Matthew Taylor added that it is having a “huge effect” and said: “We really worry about the next few days.”
Tory MP and ex-cabinet minister, Sir Liam Fox, said on Wednesday: “As a former NHS doctor, it makes me sad and angry to see doctors involved in action which I believe to be unethical and unforgivable, given the harm being done to patients and the NHS itself.”