Junior hospital doctors in England have initiated a five-day strike, just prior to a crucial general election where the state of the National Health Service (NHS) is a significant concern. This marks one of many strikes carried out by doctors below the consultant level over the past 18 months, adding pressure to an NHS already strained by the pandemic. The ongoing strike has led to delays in treatments and operations, leaving patients discontent with extended waiting times.
A recent survey indicated that less than a quarter of Britons are satisfied with the NHS, a remarkably low level of approval. The doctors are advocating for a 35 percent pay increase in light of rising living costs. The strike is set to continue until just before the general election, with the Labour party expected to secure victory.
Despite the government’s stance that the demands are financially unviable, the doctors remain firm in their request for higher pay. The strike organizers have been accused of having political motivations behind their actions. This ongoing dispute highlights the challenges faced by healthcare workers in the UK.