Residents of England come into strike

Strike: "it's not a matter of salary, it's a matter of meeting the patients"

The residents of England, in open war with the Conservative Government for their working conditions and wages, perform on Tuesday a strike for the first time includesthe emergency services.

The strike will have a large impact on the NHS (National Health Service, NHS), which employs thousands of resident doctors, graduates are completing the professional practice.

Though another stoppage has already been held, this is the first time that a strike will affect the emergency services, such as those that serve victims of accidents or pregnant women, but the doctors more veterans and nurses will be present at work.

England has more than 50000 residents-health is decentralized and Scotland and Wales manage the sector in their territory —, which amounts to one third of the totalprofessionals.

"It is the saddest day of my professional life. As a physician, I never thought I would have to abandon the stethoscope and go on strike. But the Government refuses to listen to us, "he told AFP Fiona Martin, of London's St. Thomas hospital, close to theBritish Parliament.

"It's not a matter of salary, it's a matter of meeting the patients," he added, in reference to the claim of increased funding and more employees, in a context of aging and population growth.

Almost 13000 113,000 surgeries and consultations were postponed because of the strike, which will last two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, between 8:00 and 17:00 (4:00 and 13 h 00 GMT).

The main point of contention between the doctors and the Government of Prime Minister David Cameron is the head of Government's plan to spend consider Saturdayas a normal day of work, in terms of wages.

Cameron and his Government claim they want this and other reforms to create a public health that provides the same services in the seven days of the week.