For the first time, some 50,000 junior doctors today began an all-out strike across England to protest a new contract, with the government admitting that it was a “very bleak day” for the country’s health service.
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Fellow junior doctor Helen Spindler, 24, said that assurances had been made that strike action would not affect vulnerable patients and consultant care would be available throughout the strike for all patients at Wexham Park Hospital.
Four out of five junior doctors took part on Tuesday, with some hospitals losing up to 90 percent of junior doctors, local media reported.
The strike reflects the impasse between the government and the junior doctors – physicians with up to 10 years’ experience – over the government’s pledge to greatly expand National Health Service care on weekends.
“The reason this has happened is because the government has been unable to negotiate sensibly and reasonably with the BMA (British Medical Association)”, he said.
The strike came as Airedale Hospital reported a nine per cent increase in patients accessing its emergency departments between January and last month, compared to the same period a year ago.
JUNIOR doctors across Gloucestershire are staging their second day of strike action. Senior doctors and other medics will provide cover.
Clinicians who have chosen to support strike action have expressed concerns about the new contract and the proposals for extending the NHS to a full seven day service.
The march started at 10.30am outside Doncaster Royal Infirmary and protesters marched through Doncaster town centre where demonstrators explained the importance of supporting and winning the junior doctors’ dispute.
“If you already have an appointment booked for those days which is cancelled we will contact you”.
He added: “This is likely to be my last big job in politics”.
As is always the case, we would urge people to think about the best place to access care if they become ill.
He said Mr Hunt had refused a chance for the strikes to be called off by failing to lift his threat to impose the contract.
“We’re working hard to once again successfully minimise disruption and to make sure our patients are safely cared for”.
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“People are using the NHS more than ever before, but we are stretched to breaking point”.
