GPs in the UK go on strike for the fifth time this year
Doctors affiliated with the British Medical Association (BMA) did not accept the government’s 5 per cent increase offer, on the grounds that it was below inflation and that they had received a below inflation increase in the last 15 years and decided to leave work for 5 days. .
General practitioners who are demanding a 35 percent salary adjustment against the government’s proposal will be on strike until August 15.
Speaking to the AA correspondent, BMA spokesperson and general practitioner Sumi Manirajan stated that approximately 50,000 colleagues have left their jobs as of today, saying: “GPs have been working for at least £14 per hour (approximately 480 lire) for about 4 years. Most of them studied Medicine for 5-6 years and graduated paying hundreds of thousands of pounds and working for £14 an hour.”
DECREASED 30 PERCENT IN 15 YEARS
Explaining that they demanded the government increase hourly wages to £20 (approximately 680 lira), Manirajan said: “Our wages have decreased by more than 30 per cent in the last 15 years. We want our salaries to be increased at the rate of 2008. We want not only an increase, but also a salary regulation, ”he said.
Stating that they are open to discussing rates with the government, Manirajan said: “Our expectation is that the government accepts that our wages have decreased and that they will make wage adjustments. We cannot increase the workforce without a salary adjustment. If we cannot increase the workforce, we will not be able to provide adequate health services to the public.”
Noting that doctors in England suffer more loss of income than the average worker, Manirajan said of whether the strikes were effective or not: “It would not be correct to say that something hasn’t changed. Initially the offer was 2 per cent, now we are at 5 per cent and £1500. We will stick with our shares until our wages are regulated,’ he said.
General practitioners also went on strike in March, April, June and July.
800 THOUSAND APPOINTMENTS CANCELED
British Health Minister Steve Barclay, on the other hand, called on doctors to abandon the strike decision in an article he wrote for the Daily Mail, saying the work stoppages increased waiting times in hospitals and that health services were not provided. properly.
Criticizing the BMA’s decision to continue its winter strikes, Barclay described the situation as “worrying” and “reckless steps”.
Underlining that the government will not negotiate further raises, Barclay noted that the next talks will be about improving working conditions.
On the other hand, the National Health System (SNS) announced in its report that the number of people waiting for health services reached 7.6 million, breaking a record. The NHS reported that 800,000 appointments were canceled due to long waiting lines. (AA)