Junior doctors are losing public’s support over latest strike threat, poll reveals

JUNIOR doctors are losing the public’s support over their latest strike threat, polling has shown.

The hospital medics have this week started a ballot for a fresh wave of walkouts after being offered 5.4 per cent extra pay — despite getting a 22 per cent rise last year.

BMABMA leader Dr Melissa Ryan said strike action is not inevitable and can be avoided[/caption]

But public support for strikes has fallen from 52 per cent last summer to 39 per cent, in what pollsters from YouGov called a “shift in opinion”.

The British Medical Association called ministers’ latest offer woefully inadequate.

It says members will not wait for a stronger economy to get another bumper rise.

More than a million appointments were cancelled in the last industrial action in 2023 and 2024.

Rachel Power, chair of the Patients Association, said: “More than 1.3million appointments were cancelled or rescheduled due to previous strike action and the total is likely to be much higher.

“It causes significant distress, pain and worsening health for patients, while placing additional pressure on remaining NHS staff.

“We respect resident doctors’ right to take industrial action and we urgently call on the BMA and Government to intensify meaningful negotiations before the ballot closes on July 7.

“Patients have already suffered too much.”

BMA leaders Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt said: “Many will understandably be concerned about how future strike action might affect their care but it’s important to stress that strike action is not inevitable and can be avoided.

“We’re confident that patients will recognise that the value of doctors has not diminished since 2008, but that working conditions and pay have.

“Wes Streeting must now step forward with a solution.”

AlamyJunior doctors are losing the public’s support over their latest strike threat[/caption]