Doctors go on strike in Britain

LONDON (AP) — Tens of thousands of young doctors went on strike across England on Monday to demand better pay, triggering three days of work stoppages at public hospitals and medical centers across the country.

Junior doctors make up 45% of all NHS doctors. The system had to bring in more experienced doctors to cover emergency teams, intensive care and maternity wards.

The Medical Association of Great Britain says pay for junior doctors has deteriorated in real terms by 26% since 2008, while workloads and patient numbers have hit record highs.

The association says burnout and the cost of living crisis are driving doctors away from the public system. Newly graduated doctors earn just 14.09 pounds ($17) an hour, the group adds.

Other healthcare workers, such as nurses and paramedics, have also gone on strike in recent months to demand better wages and manpower. NHS figures indicate that more than 100,000 medical appointments have already been postponed this winter due to the nurses’ strike.

Stephen Powis, chief medical officer at NHS England, said the 72-hour strike scheduled for this week will cause “significant disruption”. Some cancer services, routine appointments and surgeries will be affected, he added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters on Sunday that “it is disappointing that the junior doctors’ union is not engaging with the government.” The association says officials have refused to discuss their demands for months, and that a recent invitation to speak came with “unacceptable” terms.

The doctors’ strike will coincide with strikes by tens of thousands of teachers and civil servants on Wednesday, when the government will present its finance bill.

Strikes have affected the lives of Britons for months, with workers demanding pay rises to offset inflation which hit 10.1% in January. That’s down from a peak of 11.1% in November, but still the highest figure in 40 years.