Disruption expected as six-day doctors' strike begins

Disruption expected as six-day doctors' strike beginsJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNick TriggleHealth correspondentEPAResident doctors in England are beginning a six-day strike at 07:00 BST on Tuesday – their 15th in a long-running dispute over pay.It promises to cause significant disruption to services, with resident doctors (formerly called junior doctors) making up nearly half of the medical workforce in the NHS.Senior medics are being drafted in to provide cover in emergency settings, but it means some pre-planned treatments and appointments are having to be cancelled.The walkout by British Medical Association members comes after talks between the government and doctors' union broke down last month.The NHS is urging patients not to put off seeking help if needed, saying those with emergency and urgent needs should use 999 and 111 as normal. Those who have planned appointments and treatments scheduled should attend unless they are told otherwise. GP services are largely unaffected.'I'm worried'Adrian Emery, 55 and from Nottinghamshire, is one of those affected. He was due to have a telephone appointment on Tuesday after having a number of mini strokes – or TIAs as they are known – in January. It has left him with hearing problems.The appointment was meant to be his first follow-up to review his medication and talk to a specialist. It was initially rescheduled for mid June, but that has also been cancelled now. He does not know when he will be seen."I'm very worried, because my grandfather actually had a very serious stroke. I hope I don't have a full stroke before I am seen," he told BBC News. 'Regrettable'Despite receiving pay rises worth 33% over the past four years, the BMA argues doctors are still being paid a fifth less than they were in 2008 once inflation is taken into account.Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctor committee, said: "It's very regrettable and I...