Junior doctors strike
For the first time since 1975, there is a junior doctors strike happening in the UK. Thousands of doctors around the UK began a 24 hour walk-out yesterday, causing disturbance in many hospitals. Doctors went on strike from 8am yesterday morning, refusing to return to work when they were requested, unless there was a major incident. Surgeries have been cancelled and patients have been warned that they should try to avoid going to hospital unless it is necessary.
These delays and under-staffing may be an inconvenience, but the junior doctors strike aims to improve the NHS service for both doctors and patients in the long-term.
Why are they on strike?
The junior doctors strike has been over their new contracts; including arguments over their pay and safeguarding doctors from having to work excessive hours. The British Medical Association argues that those who work the longest hours will be disproportionately affected. This is because of the proposal to change the basic hours from 7am-10pm Monday to Friday and 7am-7pm on Saturdays. Read more from Channel 4.
Although having our NHS doctors more available to patients would be a positive, a doctor run into the ground with such long hours is not good long-term. Like everyone else, doctors need ‘down time’ to stay healthy both mentally and physically to enable them to give their work their fullest attention. For the safety of their patients, doctors across the UK are fighting against plans to increase working hours.
Your support
Are you a doctor? We’d love to hear from you – have you gone out on strike this week – what response have you received?
We at Telecare Choice support our junior doctors strike, in their fight for a better NHS for us all. If you would like to join us in supporting our NHS doctors you can use the hashtag #juniordoctorsstrike and send your thoughts to @TelecareChoice.
