Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer slams NHS junior doctors strike as Derriford Hospital declares critical incident

Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer has slammed the ongoing junior doctors strike. The health staff began the walkout last Wednesday (January 3) in a bitter dispute over pay. It is set to be the longest single period of strike action in NHS[1] history.

In a recent statement, the Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View said he is ‘really upset’ by the strike action which is taking place at a particularly busy time of year for health workers. Derriford Hospital declared a critical incident[2] on Friday (January 5) due to sustained pressure and high attendances to the Emergency Department. The current strike is set to come to an end at 7am on Tuesday (January 9) and people are are urged to only go to Derriford Hospital[3] if they have a serious emergency or life-threatening condition. Mr Mercer thanked and paid tribute to staff that have worked longer hours to cover for those striking.

Johnny Mercer said in a statement: “It has been a particularly difficult period with the Junior Doctor strikes at Derriford and I pay tribute to all those who are picking up shifts to cover for them. I profoundly disagree with their action – that some have not returned to work when requested on safety grounds – as reported in the Times this morning [Saturday] – is beyond the pale. “I couldn’t strike in the Military; while I want everyone to be paid more, lots of us have worked incredibly hard to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes and experiences at Derriford over the last year – it is a whole team effort.

It is really, really tough work for clinicians and managers alike. It really upsets me seeing some of that work drain away because of strike action, called at the very hardest time of year for healthcare workers.” University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said: “Industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trades Unions about terms and conditions.

We are committed to keeping patient and staff safety as our priority. “Planned industrial action has been announced by the British Medical Association (BMA) involving junior doctors. The action will run from 7am on Wednesday 03 January to 7am on Tuesday 09 January.”

Earlier this week, unions criticised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and said he is “incorrect” for claiming he has settled pay disputes with nurses, consultants and speciality doctors. In a post to X, formerly Twitter[4], the BMA wrote: “The PM says consultants and SAS doctors have settled their pay disputes. This is incorrect.

We’ve put the Government’s offer to our members and they’ll now decide. We’re deeply disappointed the Government hasn’t made a credible offer we can also put to junior doctors.” It comes as a senior NHS leader urged the Government and the British Medical Association (BMA) to end the industrial action.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, warned that staff morale is low across the service. Celebrities such as presenter Stephen Fry, comedian Jo Brand, former NHS doctor and writer Adam Kay and poet Michael Rosen are calling on the Government to create an emergency plan to help those who are “getting sicker while waiting”. The open letter signed by celebrities and NHS workers said: “We demand that you end your attempts to pit patients and NHS staff against each other.

We can’t wait, we won’t wait.

“We need an emergency plan, which gives the NHS whatever it needs, to get waiting times falling immediately.”

References

1. ^ NHS (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
2. ^ Derriford Hospital declared a critical incident (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
3. ^ only go to Derriford Hospital (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
4. ^ Twitter (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)