Hospitals across West Midlands set to face disruption as resident doctors vote to walk out in strike action

Resident doctors from hospitals such as Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital, County Hospital in Stafford, New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and Walsall Manor Hospital will walk out on Wednesday morning after the British Medical Association said 83 per cent of its members had voted to continue with the walkout in an online poll over the weekend. 

The walk out will run from 7am Wednesday to 7am on Monday, December 22 and comes after the union agreed to the snap poll last week after the government came forward with a fresh deal which included increasing speciality training posts and covering out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees.

The strike by resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, is due to start at 7am on Wednesday with Health Secretary Wes Streeting warning it was "irresponsible and dangerous" given the pressure hospitals are under with flu.

The offer did not include any promises on pay, with Mr Streeting saying he will not negotiate on that after resident doctors pay has been increased by nearly 30 per cent in the past three years.

The union argued that, despite the pay rises, resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account, but Mr Streeting said the pay demands were fantasy.

He said: "The BMA has chosen Christmas strikes to inflict damage on the NHS at the moment of maximum danger. 

"These strikes are self-indulgent, irresponsible and dangerous."

He said he hoped resident doctors would still go to work, saying there was a different magnitude of risk striking at this moment.

BMA resident doctor leader Dr Jack Fletcher said: "Tens of thousands of front-line doctors have come together to say 'no' to what is clearly too little, too late." 

He said any solution had to address pay and said the union was committed to ensuring patient safety and would be in close contact with NHS England throughout the strike to address concerns as they arise.

Rory Deighton, of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals, said: "It's bitterly disappointing that the BMA has rejected this offer and chosen to continue with hugely disruptive strikes.

"These strikes come at the worst possible time, with rapidly rising flu levels putting huge strain on hospitals."

Hospital trusts across the region have been putting out messages to prewarn those requiring services of potential delays, but also that the hospital trusts would do whatever they could to ensure patient safety.

Dr Di Adamson, UHNM Chief Medical Officer, said: "We understand that industrial action can be concerning for patients. 

"Our priority remains patient safety, and we are working hard to ensure essential services continue to operate safely. 

"We ask patients to seek care when it is urgent and to help us ensure our teams can focus on those who need life-saving treatment the most. 

"I would encourage the public to look after themselves, loved ones and check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours during this period and thank you to patients and the public for their understanding and continued support during this period.”