Monday, 11 January 2016

weekly news 
PM asks doctors to call off strike 
David Cameron has urged junior doctors to call of their planned strike action. 
He warned Tuesday's strike will cause "real difficulties for patients and potentially worse".The strike begins across England at 08:00 GMT, from when junior doctors will only provide emergency care.Talks between the doctors' union - the BMA - and NHS bosses continue. The BMA has said the strikes "demonstrated the strength of feeling amongst the profession".Issues being disputed by the BMA and NHS include weekend pay and whether there are appropriate safeguards in place to stop hospitals over-working doctors. 
Three strikes are set to take place from: 
  • 08:00 Tuesday 12 January to 08:00 Wednesday 13 January (emergency care will be staffed) 
  • 08:00 Tuesday 26 January to 08:00 Thursday 28 January (emergency care will be staffed) 
  • 08:00 to 17:00 Wednesday 10 February (full walk-out) 
The Prime Minister called on medics "at the late stage" to get back around the table before the proposed walkout.He said: "This strike is not necessary, it will be damaging."We are doing everything we can to mitigate its effects but you can't have a strike on this scale in our NHS without their being some real difficulties for patients and potentially worse."NHS England estimates 1,425 inpatient operations and procedures will be cancelled as a result of the action along with 2,535 outpatient ones.It says everything possible is being done to provide safe emergency care and minimise the impact on patients.Anne Rainsberry, the NHS England director overseeing preparations, said: "We have tried and tested plans to deal with a range of disruptions including industrial action. As ever, the safety and care of patients is our top priority and the NHS has robust plans in place to ensure those who need emergency treatment will continue to receive it. "We have been working with hospitals and other NHS providers across the country to ensure we can continue to protect the safety of our patients and provide the urgent services they need. We will monitor the situation across the country to ensure these plans are in place, and are ready to respond to any significant increases in pressure in any region over the course of this dispute."

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