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Unions which fail to provide enough doctors on strike days could be hit with fines of \u00a31million under new laws to stop patients\u2019 lives being put in danger.<\/p>\n
Thousands of appointments and operations have been cancelled as junior doctors and consultants stage the first joint strike in NHS history today.<\/p>\n
But health chiefs warned the situation is \u201cdangerous\u201d as hospitals scramble to find enough staff to provide basic care.<\/p>\n
Downing Street said patients\u2019 safety has been \u201cput at risk\u201d and called on the British Medical Association to \u201cstep back\u201d from the industrial action.<\/p>\n
Health Secretary Steve Barclay has announced new minimum service laws that will force unions of doctors and nurses to provide a minimum level of cover.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Striking doctors could be forced to work to stop ‘danger’ of walkouts<\/strong><\/p>\n He said: \u201cRelentless walkouts by BMA doctors in training and consultants have led to around 900,000 appointments being cancelled and I\u2019m concerned their uncompromising threat of indefinite, militant action means this number will only keep rising.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Barclay added: \u201cThe BMA or other unions who deliberately breach the service levels would face fines up to a \u00a31million.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s worth reiterating doctors in training have received a fair and reasonable pay rise \u2013 as recommended by the independent pay review body.\u201d Mr Barclay accused the BMA of \u201cpolitically motivated\u201d strike action, with its next round of joint walkouts timed to coincide with the Conservative Party conference in Manchester from October 1.<\/p>\n The new minimum service laws are unlikely to come into force until next year.<\/p>\n Staff will be issued with a \u201cwork notice\u201d by employers on what is needed to maintain \u201cnecessary and safe levels of service\u201d.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Rishi’s ego blamed for doctor’s strikes as ‘unprecedented’ walkout launched[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Mr Barclay said the measure is \u201cproportionate\u201d as health unions are resorting to \u201cincreasing militancy\u201d.<\/p>\n Consultants launched a 48-hour strike yesterday and junior doctors will walk out for 72 hours from today. Junior doctors have already held 19 days of strike action since March.<\/p>\n Consultants and junior doctors will again join forces for strikes on October 2, 3 and 4. It is the third walkout by consultants and the sixth by junior doctors over pay. The Government has agreed to award consultants 6% and junior doctors an average of 8.8% following recommendations.<\/p>\n Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation representing trusts, said: \u201cThis is likely to be the biggest walkout the NHS has ever seen, will cause serious disruption, and put patients at the highest level of risk in living memory.\u201d<\/p>\n But the BMA criticised the Government\u2019s plans. Dr Vishal Sharma, of the union\u2019s consultants\u2019 committee, said the BMA had \u201cabsolutely ensured staffing level in no hospital would fall below what it does on Christmas Day, or indeed probably on a bank holiday, so it is a safe level of service we are providing\u201d.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/4967945.jpg?r=1695154910313\")
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