Doctors walkout as contract row goes on

Brandishing placards saying “Protect our doctors, protect our NHS” junior doctors were joined by supporters and union representatives from 8am today.

“In preparation for the strike, inevitably some non-urgent appointments and routine operations are affected and we have already contacted those patients directly to reschedule”.

The strike follows a dispute between the British Medical Council and Department of Health over proposed new contracts which the doctors believe are unfair.

Warwick Hospital and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have put contingency plans into action to cope with the strike action being taken by junior doctors today.

More industrial action is planned for Tuesday January 26 when junior doctors will again only provide emergency care, and if an agreement is not reached by Wednesday February 10 junior doctors plan to withhold all labour, including emergency care for nine hours.

“The biggest threat to patient care is the government’s insistence on removing safeguards which prevent junior doctors from being forced to work dangerously long hours without breaks, with patients facing the prospect of being treated by exhausted doctors”.

BMA member for Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust, Dr Rebecca Davies, called the strike a “last resort” and said the decision was not taken lightly.

Medics began a 24-hour strike at 8am on January 12 to send a message to ministers that their plans are the wrong treatment for the NHS.

“They want to force a contract on junior doctors which threatens the quality of care patients receive”.

There are more than 55,000 junior doctors in England, which includes those who have just graduated from medical school to those with around ten years of experience.

“We are now working with all staff to minimise the impact of any industrial action across all of our sites”.

“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience which might be caused to patients due to circumstances beyond our control”. Patients can really help us by taking the appropriate action to treat their condition, which might mean contacting NHS 111 or attending a pharmacy.

The doctors are providing emergency cover only during the 24-hour walkout, which got under way at 8am this morning.