Scarborough MP ‘really concerned’ about doctors’ strike

​The MP for Scarborough and Whitby Alison Hume, has responded to what she views as the “unaffordable” pay demands of resident doctors who are set to begin a six-day strike action from Tuesday (April 7) to Monday, April 13.

​The British Medical Association, which represents doctors, called the strike in response to a ‘below inflation’ pay offer of 3.5 per cent.

​Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has given the BMA 48 hours to call off the strikes or face losing 1,000 extra training places.

​Commenting on the looming industrial action, Labour’s MP Ms Hume said: “I think the Prime Minister has said that they really do need to come to the table and agree the deal or they’ll lose the extra training places that are on offer.”

She said: “I know that the health secretary has been meeting with them for many, many months and it’s not unreasonable that the pay demands that they want are just unaffordable, and so I’m really concerned that that strike is going ahead.”

​The BMA said the Government had the power to “avert this strike action by coming back to the table with a credible offer on both jobs and pay”.

​“We remain willing and available to re-enter negotiations, but we are not willing to risk locking in further pay erosion. The Government shifted the goalposts on pay at the 11th hour, leaving us with no option but to make ourselves heard from the picket line,” the union added.

​The prime minister penned an article in The Times this week, describing the 15th walkout since the long-running dispute started in 2023 as “reckless”.

​He said: “Walking away from this deal is the wrong decision. It is a reckless decision. And doing so without even giving resident doctors themselves the chance to vote on it makes it even worse.

​”Because the truth is this: no one benefits from rejecting this deal.”

​Ms Hume said: “I would just say to my constituents, if you need health services and you need the NHS, please do get in touch.

​“Don’t take the strikes and think you can’t get in touch. If you need help, ask for it.”

​York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that disruption to staffing may mean some appointments and procedures might need to be rescheduled.

​A spokesperson said: “If we have not contacted you, please attend any planned appointments as normal. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and will rebook as quickly as possible.

​“If you need urgent care, please continue to come forward as normal, regardless of any industrial action taking place. Especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.”