Striking hospital consultants are in the top two per cent of earners – and meeting their pay demands would worsen the plight of millions battling the cost of living crisis, Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary has said.
Routine hospital care is expected to come to a standstill on Thursday, with warnings of “severe delays” for patients seeking help as thousands of senior doctors, with average NHS earnings of £134,000, take part in walkouts over pay.
Health officials said the timing of the latest strikes, ahead of a bank holiday weekend in the summer holidays when many staff are on leave, will make it particularly difficult for the health service to cope.
Meanwhile, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced plans for further and longer walkouts by consultants – targeting the week of the Tory party conference in October.
Strikes by the most senior doctors are considered the most damaging, because no one else can stand in for them, meaning the vast majority of routine hospital care has to be stopped, as the NHS operates a “Christmas Day” service.
The 48-hour strike starting at 7am on Thursday is the second by consultants, who say the six per cent pay award given by the Government is “insulting”, with claims their incomes have fallen by 35 per cent in 15 years.
Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Barclay said going further than the current award could stoke inflation – leaving millions of people who earn far less than consultants far worse off.
“Consultants are in the top 2 per cent of earners in the country,” Mr Barclay wrote, saying the existing award is final and “balances the need to keep inflation in check” while ensuring consultants are fairly paid.
“Inflation makes everyone poorer and it’s vital we ease the cost of living to support those on the lowest incomes who feel the pressure most acutely,” he added.
“Most would recognise this as an extremely fair deal as we seek to bring down inflation to support all families, most of whom will be on lower incomes than consultants, with the cost of living,” he said.