Royal Berkshire Hospital 'disappointed' by strike action

Senior doctors in England are planning strike action for two days next month, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.

Consultants will walk out on November 25 and 26 after the union accused the Government of “ignoring concerns” around the “wellbeing and workload” of medics.

The strike can be avoided if Health Secretary Yvette Cooper commits to formal negotiations on pay and working conditions, the BMA said.

The strikes are set to impact the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, with concerns raised over the impact of patient care and disruption to appointments and treatments.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said: “Whilst we respect everyone’s right to strike we are disappointed to hear of this proposed industrial action and hope the issue can be resolved quickly.

"As with previous strike actions, we will implement our robust business continuity plans to ensure we can continue to provide safe patient care whilst minimising disruption to appointments and treatment."

Consultants in England last went on strike in 2023 but have been in dispute with the Government since last year.

The planned walkout comes after members of the BMA voted in favour of a mandate for industrial action in July.

This comes as almost 100 porters at the hospital in Reading have begun five days of strike action today (October 26).

Members of the GMB union (the trade union) walked out for a second time after taking action for two days, on September 29 and September 30.

The members of GMB union proposed the second strike after they said they did not receive a sufficient offer to call off the action.

The dispute concerns overtime payments, which the trust has removed.

GMB says the recent offer of an interim payment on overtime from the Trust was unacceptable for members.

GMB regional organiser Louis Bryson said: “The recent offer of an interim payment on overtime from the Trust was unacceptable for members, as all it would do is postpone member’s lapse into poverty for a few months.

“With almost a week before the members walk out, there remains ample time for the Trust to approach us with a sensible proposal and for this potentially very damaging disruption to services to disappear.”