By Carole Dennett
Across England, the six-day strike by junior doctors led to more than 110,000 patients having scheduled NHS care cancelled, but the industrial action had minimal impact on the Island.
Figures released by NHS England show that an average of 33 Island staff took part in the stoppage each day, but no procedures were cancelled for outpatient or inpatients at St Mary’s Hospital, and no community care or mental health appointments had to be rearranged.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation hospitals group, has explained that trusts have pre-emptively avoided making appointments during periods of industrial action.
The longest strike in the history of the NHS was the 10th by junior doctors since March, and is part of their campaign for better working conditions and to persuade the government that they should receive a 35 per cent pay rise to compensate for a real terms drop of 26 per cent in income since 2008. So far, the government has offered an average of 11.8 per cent, which the British Medical Association (BMA) has dismissed and is now planning another ballot of its members which could see industrial action continuing until September.
On Wednesday, during Prime Minister’s Questions, Rishi Sunak claimed that other NHS staff including “consultants and specialist doctors” had reached a pay settlement; however the BMA said that they are balloting both groups on whether they accept the government’s offers. Further strike action by both groups of doctors has not been ruled out.
On Friday, Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: “To the junior doctors’ committee; the moment you call off the strikes I’ll get back around the table with you within 20 minutes.”
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust was contacted for a comment.
Mal Butler 
Tilly Walder