RISHI Sunak has revealed progress is being made in pay talks with nurses to end disruption in the NHS – but hit out at junior doctors.
The Prime Minister also praised ambulance workers who have come to the table for negotiations with Ministers to strike a deal.
PAStriking NHS junior doctors on the picket line outside Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham[/caption]
Mr Sunak, speaking on a trip to San Diego yesterday, said: “I am grateful to those unions that are in and having those conversations, we’ve seen progress on the rail side, we’re making progress with nurses and other health care workers.
“I’m disappointed to see the action by junior doctors, you know, I would urge them and the teachers to come in and and talk to the government in the way that other unions have done, I’m confident that we can find a way through this.”
It comes as thousands of doctors downed tools yesterday and will walk out again today and tomorrow in a bitter pay row.
Young medics marched on Whitehall in protest as the only striking health workers not taking part in crisis talks.
NHS bosses warned hospitals are in for a “hard three days” with the 72-hour strike.
Patients across England face cancellations and delays as the British Medical Association doctors, who make up 40 per cent of clinic staff, refuse to work.
Medics are focusing efforts on keeping A&E departments and emergency services running.
Ambulance crews have urged patients to “use services wisely” to cut delays.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, medical director at NHS England, said: “It is going to be a hard three days.
“This is likely to be the most disruptive set of industrial action days that we’ve seen all winter.
“It’s three days rather than just one day and junior doctors are a large part of the medical workforce.
“It’s likely that we will see that extensive disruption.”
Even cancer patients are set to miss scans and treatment because of short-staffing.
Nick Hulme, chief of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust, said the “overwhelming majority” of non-urgent ops and appointments would have to be postponed.
The BMA is angling for a pay boost of around a third, arguing members are paid 26 per cent less than they were 15 years ago.
It claimed trainee doctors – who can go on to earn six-figure salaries – could earn more managing coffee shops.
Those on picket lines said they are struggling to pay rent and bills because of pay equal to around £14 per hour.
Dr Rob Laurenson, a BMA rep and trainee GP in Kent, said: “The problem is that the pay does not match up with the responsibility.
“We are just asking for an extra £5 an hour to make our pay something like what it would have been 15 years ago.”
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said ministers cannot afford the demands.
He said: “I’ve been having constructive and meaningful talks with unions representing nurses, ambulance workers and other non-medical staff, which have agreed to pause strike action – and negotiations will continue this week.
“I urge the junior doctors to come and have those discussions so we can pause the strikes and discuss those issues.”
The Government offered an olive branch for opening talks last week but the BMA refused to call off the strike.