In November 2015, an overwhelming majority of more than 37,000 junior doctors voted in favour of taking industrial action, including holding a strike, to show opposition to the contract which they say does not include sufficient safeguards for them or patients.
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The call comes as the first strike by junior doctors in 40 years is under way in a row over a new contract.
A spokeswoman for City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said: “We can confirm one elective operation and approximately 65 outpatient appointments have been rescheduled as a result of the junior doctor industrial action today”.
“Working additional night and weekend shifts has helped many health staff survive the government’s harsh and ongoing pay freeze”.
A spokesman said: “During the industrial action we are urging the public to only visit Accident and Emergency (A&E) if they have been involved in an accident or if it is a life-threatening emergency”.
A doctor’s primary duty of care is to look after patients, and to go on strike seemingly contradicts this basic principle.
If no progress has been made with negotiations after today’s strike, the BMA is planning on carrying out further action with a 48-hour, emergency-care-only strike on January 26, followed by a full withdrawal of labour planned for February 10.
Standing outside the hospital this morning, she said: “The changes are unsafe for patients – David Cameron needs to rethink”.
“We have tried and tested these plans to minimise any disruption during this period and, most importantly, to keep our patients safe and thank visitors in advance for their patience during these periods”.
The Government is intent on introducing a new contract for doctors working up to consultant level to replace one it says is “outdated”.
Dr Katie Pass, an anaesthetist trainee at NDDH and on the picket line today, said: “We feel devalued, demoralised and the profession is being attacked”.
Between 20 and 30 junior doctors gathered on Scalby Road down from the hospital to voice their concerns with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s plans to introduce a “truly seven-day NHS”.
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Hospitals on the Yorkshire coast are running smoothly despite the 24-hour strike by junior doctors.
