NHS: Doctors’ Strikes Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Sherbourne of Didsbury
Main Page: Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(1 year, 1 month ago)
Lords ChamberI can totally reject that by pointing to the record spend we are putting in this area and the fact that, just on Monday, we launched the long-term workforce plan, with a £2.4 billion investment in expanding the workforce to make sure we are set fair for the next 75 years. We absolutely want to resolve the strike by all means possible.
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that, apparently, in the consultants’ strike, consultants are not obliged to tell their hospital whether they will be striking; nor is it possible for the hospital to ask whether they are striking. Is not the result of this that the BMA is going to impose maximum dislocation on hospitals, damaging patients’ interests?
Clearly, that is the last thing anyone wants. I trust all the medics who, first and foremost, care about patient safety to inform their local management so that they can make sure that the correct processes are in place to ensure that patient safety is looked after.