The Ixl Company discuss disruptions caused by NHS strikes over pay

CANARY WHARF, U.K. - Oct. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- England NHS midwives, ambulance staff and nurses have completed a four hour strike at 11am in a dispute over pay. Seven trade unions were involved in the action that took place from 7am until 11am this morning on the 13^th October, and two unions in Northern Ireland will be going ahead from 11am to 3pm.

Many services have been disrupted because of the strike, however, as agreed by NHS bosses before the walk out, emergency care was kept running. It is not clear yet how much services have really been disrupted, but any disruption in the NHS, no matter how big or small, can cause mayhem for those in need. To keep disruption to a minimum unions and managers had to ensure that essential services were maintained in advance. “It is a shame that NHS staff have felt the need to strike, not only is the NHS extremely valuable but so are the staff, disruptions caused go to show just how important and valuable the NHS and its staff is and hopefully the disruptions aren’t too extreme and cause any really bad situations for patients” says Hicham Mouden, managing director of The Ixl Company in Canary Wharf.

Life threatening cases were being prioritised this morning as the ambulance services faced backlog and delays meaning many patients were not getting seen to as quickly as normal as they were not in ‘life threatening’ situations. The seven unions involved in action taking place today have over 400,000 members, and so of course plans to ensure emergency services and life threatening situations are taken care of as normal with help from military and police services were in place to avoid any serious affects to patients. “Extreme organising has taken place surrounding this strike as it is such a delicate situation, of course these unions know their members rights and support them through strike and other methods, but at the same time it is vital that patients, particularly those high risk or in life threatening situations are cared for immediately as strike action should not affect people’s lives” says Emma Clarkson, The Ixl Company receptionist in Canary Wharf.

The aim of the strike is to send a ‘clear message to the government’. That the NHS staff wants and need more pay. The Royal College of Midwives are also involved in strike action for the first time in history, however they have targeted antenatal and postnatal care so that disruptions do not affect women giving birth. The aim of the strike is to send a ‘clear message’ to  the government about payment of NHS staff and to show how much a review is needed, not to deny people access to medical care, midwifes and other services that could cause severe stress and even the loss of life. “The NHS’ main duty is of course patient care, and so all the right steps have been taken and planned ahead to ensure that all emergency services are fully functioning from A&E to midwives assisting birth, regardless of these plans disruptions have expectedly happened to emphasise the message that unions and members taking part in strike action are trying to make” says Emma Clarkson, receptionist at The Ixl Company, Canary Wharf.

It seems that the main places affected have been community clinics and hospital outpatient appointments rather than the larger sections of the NHS. Dentists and doctors were not involved. “As with most places and companies just like The Ixl Company, a de-motivated work force is no use to customers or a company, and in the case of NHS workers it is no good to patients and it is vital that action is taken to keep pay fair for NHS staff to avoid de-motivation and more disruptions” says Hicham Mouden, managing director The Ixl Company “Not only are services disrupted, but military and police efforts have been used to cover those in the ambulance service that are on strike, meaning that disruptions may not stop at just the NHS but added pressure on police and military too”.

It is now just a waiting game until the outcome of the union strikes take place, and all involved are hoping for the outcome they are looking for to avoid any future disruptions and strikes which are very frustrating for patients.