Britain’s Junior Doctors StrikeJunior doctors are striking because of proposed changes to their contracts which will see them overworked. This could seriously compromise their ability to look after patients effectively..
Posted by UNILAD on Wednesday, 10 February 2016
After years of strained negotiations Jeremy Hunt has decided to impose his seven day NHS contract on junior doctors against their will.
Ministers decided to impose the new contract after the British Medical Association rejected the ‘best and final’ offer to settle the dispute, he told MP’s today.
PAIt’s no surprise that he received a massive backlash – he ironically announced at the same time that he would review how to improve NHS doctors’ morale, which did not go down well.
BMA reps are now considering ‘all options’, with the possibility of further strikes before their contracts have to be signed in August.
This comes after Andrew Marr presented Hunt with a number of reports from junior doctors last weekend, which were highly critical of him and his plans, causing him to visibly squirm in his seat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5E8DL1edYo
The new contract was announced just four hours after doctor’s second 24-hour walkout over working hours and pay. Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander said this move will bring ‘chaos’.
Alexander also mentioned the Health Secretary’s lack of seven-day spirit when it comes to his own job. She said: “So much for a seven-day health service. A five-day-a-week Health Secretary would be nice.”
John Stillwell/PA WireHunt defended his new contract, claiming Labour’s arrangements – which were drawn up in 1999 – were not fit for purpose.
The list of compromises on the contract include raising the basic pay from an 11 per cent rise to a 13.5 per cent rise. Maximum working hours will be reduced and junior doctors will get a 30 per cent pay premium when they work more than one in four Saturdays.
PAHowever, ‘plain time’ without any out-of-hours bonus pay will still remain from 7am to 5pm on Saturdays. Currently working Saturdays is seen as ‘anti social’, and the BMA wants it to stay that way.
Many took to Twitter to vent their fury at the government’s decision.
https://twitter.com/Kelsblells/status/697786388939415552
https://twitter.com/rooo_210/status/697759511126417409
Surely now all those under attack (doctors, disabled, poor, unions, etc) must unite for mass civil disobedience #nooptionleft #juniordoctors
— Billy Hogan (@billyhogan1980) February 11, 2016
The imposition of #juniordoctors contract is despicable but real story is that the contract is part of a systematic destruction of the NHS
— Andy Hearn (@AndyHearn09) February 11, 2016
Goodbye, talented and committed #juniordoctors. pic.twitter.com/xaHdDcfRX3
— Ahmed Rashid (@Dr_A_Rashid) February 11, 2016
Saddened about decision to impose contract on #juniordoctors. They are the backbone & future of the #NHS, someone should have listened.
— Kevin Fong (@Kevin_Fong) February 11, 2016
Some mocked his suggestion that morale needed looking at among NHS doctors.
Particularly moved by the bit where @Jeremy_Hunt lamented the lack of morale among doctors. As he imposed his hated contract. #juniordoctors
— Phil Clarke (@triflemonster) February 11, 2016
I've been kicking my cat for a few months. Now need a vet to diagnose its mysteriously low morale. #juniordoctors @AoMRC
— Dan Nethercott (@DanNethercott) February 11, 2016
So #JeremyHunt is suddenly concerned about the morale of #juniordoctors. Try resigning. That would do wonders for it.
— The Written Ward (@WrittenWard) February 11, 2016
And a couple really aren’t a fan of Mr Hunt.
Imposing #JuniorDoctors contract proves that homeopathy fan Jeremy Hunt firmly believes the NHS would function best if reduced to 1 doctor.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) February 11, 2016
@Jeremy_Hunt you're a liar. A complete liar. Thank you for making me feel like the last 6 years of uni have been for nothing #Juniordoctors
— Yossari-asmin (@yasminleighw) February 11, 2016
Perhaps the Tories didn't strike a deal with Google for favourable search results at all #JuniorDoctors #JeremyHunt pic.twitter.com/jD2TbStCAi
— The Sun Apologies (@SunApology) February 11, 2016
90 per cent of doctors said they were going to resign if the contract went through. If so, lets hope Jeremy Hunt has a back up plan…
