McGrath says Executive must move to prevent doctors’ strike
Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA (SDLP) has said the Executive must take responsibility for the growing breakdown in relations with healthcare workers after the BMA (British Medical Association) announced plans for strike action later this month.
If backed in ballots, action by consultants, SAS doctors and resident doctors could lead to major disruption across hospitals and services at the end of June.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “News of a potential doctors’ strike will cause serious concern for people across the North.
“Patients are already waiting far too long for treatment and many will now fear cancellations and further uncertainty while dealing with illness or ongoing health conditions.
“This situation did not arise overnight.
“The Executive and Health Minister have once again allowed relationships with frontline staff to deteriorate to the point where industrial action is now being considered.
“Doctors do not take these decisions lightly. They understand better than anyone the strain our hospitals are under and the impact disruption can have on patients, but many feel ignored and undervalued.
“For years we have heard repeated promises about transforming the health service and supporting staff, yet healthcare workers continue to find themselves considering industrial action over pay, conditions and workforce pressures.
“Staff are trying to hold together a system facing chronic shortages, poor planning and increasing pressure on services.
“The Health Minister must now get around the table, engage seriously with staff representatives and work to prevent strike action.
“The longer this drags on, the greater the impact on both patients and staff.
“People are fed up watching the health service lurch from one crisis to another while the Executive continually reacts instead of delivering the reform that is desperately needed,” said Colin McGrath.
However, with a £2Billion hole in the finances of the Executive coffers making it almost impossible to budget for health going forward compared to other regions in the UK, the Executive will need to address this issue head on and speak to the Treasury and Health Secretary in London and redress the deficit.
The solution may partly lie in London. But the other part of this complex equation may lie in equitably transforming the health system in the North – but there will be winners and losers, and given the nature of politics here, such changes could be very contentious in some quarters particularly with a Stormont election coming up next year.
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