Hospital bosses have been told to crack down on doctors' ability to secure profitable locum shifts while out on strike.
Head of the NHS Sir Jim Mackey said previous industrial action had been 'net positive from a financial point of view' for medics and their walkout must not be 'consequence-free' this time.
Resident doctors – previously known as junior doctors – have taken industrial action 11 times since March 2023, leading to the cancellation or postponement of more than 500,000 appointments. This helped secure them a pay rise worth a total of 28.9 per cent over three years plus lucrative overtime payments as they made up the lost consultations they caused – which they effectively used to fund further walkouts.
Some doctors even worked shifts at other trusts at inflated rates while striking at their own employer. They are legally allowed to do so, as long as they do not work the hours they were scheduled to carry out during the strike.
Sir Jim, chief executive of NHS England, told hospital bosses in a call on Wednesday that he wants them to take a harder line against the British Medical Association and press ahead with as many routine operations as possible, even if it means fewer staff and bigger queues in A&E.
