Planned resident doctors’ strikes could ‘bring about harm’, Neil Gray warns

Strike action by resident doctors in Scotland will cause “substantial disruption” and could “bring about harm” if it goes ahead next week, Health Secretary Neil Gray has warned.

Mr Gray told MSPs at Holyrood health boards were “as prepared as they possibly can be” for the walkout, which is due to start on January 13.

However, while he stressed contingency arrangements were being made, the Health Secretary stated: “There is no avoiding the fact there will be disruption should the industrial action go ahead next week.”

He went on to say the strike, which is scheduled to run from  7am on Tuesday January 13 and lasting until 7am on Saturday January 17, had the “potential to bring about harm”.

The Health Secretary, who has been in talks with the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland in order to end the pay dispute, insisted he was “doing everything possible” to try to achieve this.

He has had “constructive discussions” with the BMA’s resident doctor committee, MSPs were told.

Mr Gray however stressed the need to “respect the confidentiality” of talks, adding that he would not “provide a narration in terms of the ongoing negotiations” to Holyrood.

But he stated: “Industrial action will not be in anyone’s interest, it will cause substantial disruption.

“And I have ensured our boards are as prepared as they possibly can be for that industrial action, should it take place next week.”

He spoke out after being questioned on the planned strike by resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – with Mr Gray having been involved in talks on the issue on both Monday and Tuesday this week.

It comes as the BMA is looking for “credible progress” to be made towards increasing the hourly starting pay for resident doctors from £17.40 to £20.90.

Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane – himself a member of the BMA – said it “feels irresponsible” for strike action to take place when the NHS is struggling with winter pressures.

In the face of an “almost unprecedented flu season” he urged resident doctors to “think again” about industrial action.

The Tory MSP, who is also a GP, stressed it is “critical that the Scottish government stops these strikes from happening” adding that if the action does go ahead “the needless loss of life will rest squarely on the shoulders of Neil Gray and John Swinney”.

With Scotland having so far avoided doctors strikes, he asked the Health Secretary if he would “accept responsibility” and quit his cabinet role

Dr Gulhane said: “The SNP have repeatedly taken credit for Scotland so far avoiding NHS strikes, so if these strikes are to go ahead, will Neil Gray accept responsibility for this failure and resign?”

Pressed by Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie on what contingency arrangements are being put in place, the Health Secretary told how some plans are “still to be finalised”.

But the Health Secretary said he was seeking “through compromise and negotiation” to find a way to prevent the walkout.

He told MSPs: “NHS boards are planning for strike action and seeking to ensure that any disruption is minimal.

“But strike action will lead to some cancellations of appointments, as staff have to ensure acute and urgent care is protected.

“So I do have to ask the BMA to reconsider this, so we can collectively continue to improve the experience of our patients.”