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Junior doctors strike for third time over new contract - live updates Junior doctors strike for third time over new contract - live updates
(35 minutes later)
12.42pm GMT
12:42
There appears to be far flung support for the industrial action.
Thank you to the doctors in Pakistan supporting #JuniorDoctorsStrike in the UK. @TheBMA #juniordoctors #NHS pic.twitter.com/iC6uMEhPax
12.25pm GMT
12:25
Aisha Gani
On Whitechapel Road, outside the Royal London hospital, doctors of a wide variety of backgrounds on strike gathered with creative signs and picket biscuits and stood with clipboards to gauge the reaction of the public. Junior doctors stood at the kerb of the busy road with a megaphone, jumped and chanted “save our NHS”. Cars, white vans, delivery trucks, and even buses beeped support.
Never seen something like this before: cars, delivery vans, buses beeping support for doctors on Whitechapel road pic.twitter.com/VIBdGuZRm3
A cyclist rang his bell is support as he rode past, and an elderly man with a flat cap said: “Good luck guys”.
Creative signs, picket biscuits and clipboards to gage the reaction of the public on #JuniorDoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/lpzuvyX5WI
Hannah Gordon held her placard that her two young children helped to decorate. The experienced registrar said when on call she was so busy she didn’t even have time to use the toilet.
Hannah Gordon a registrar has two young children. Says so busy when on-call she doesn't even have time to pee pic.twitter.com/9pqFnAGsYQ
12.19pm GMT
12:19
Junior doctors told the Guardian what they want to say to the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, in this video:
Dear @Jeremy_Hunt, junior doctors have a message for you #JuniorDoctorsStrikehttps://t.co/KpTJL04EiK
12.06pm GMT12.06pm GMT
12:0612:06
In this video Hannah Barham-Brown says an appointment she has been waiting for six months for an appointment for a condition which means she’s in pain most of the time was cancelled, but she is not angry that the junior doctors are striking.In this video Hannah Barham-Brown says an appointment she has been waiting for six months for an appointment for a condition which means she’s in pain most of the time was cancelled, but she is not angry that the junior doctors are striking.
I’m actually very grateful to them because I know that the main reason they’re going on strike is to protect the safety and the care of patients like me. I’m also really grateful that they’re going out on strike because I’m about to qualify as a junior doctor ...In the last eight years and all of that training time I have taken a total of three weeks off ...three weeks [despite] the death of two siblings and the development of a disability and that’s all I have taken away from the NHS in order to recover so I could do my job better.I’m actually very grateful to them because I know that the main reason they’re going on strike is to protect the safety and the care of patients like me. I’m also really grateful that they’re going out on strike because I’m about to qualify as a junior doctor ...In the last eight years and all of that training time I have taken a total of three weeks off ...three weeks [despite] the death of two siblings and the development of a disability and that’s all I have taken away from the NHS in order to recover so I could do my job better.
She describes the contract Jeremy Hunt is imposing as “utterly terrifying for my professional future”.She describes the contract Jeremy Hunt is imposing as “utterly terrifying for my professional future”.
My hospital appt cancelled today, due to #JuniorDoctorsStrike - here's why I'm not angry. https://t.co/aG5HtWrzj0 pic.twitter.com/keDjq7dVeIMy hospital appt cancelled today, due to #JuniorDoctorsStrike - here's why I'm not angry. https://t.co/aG5HtWrzj0 pic.twitter.com/keDjq7dVeI
11.54am GMT11.54am GMT
11:5411:54
Junior doctors perform a somewhat out of tune version of With a Little Help from My Friends:Junior doctors perform a somewhat out of tune version of With a Little Help from My Friends:
Striking junior doctors in #Bradford pay tribute to Sir George Martin with a classic Beatles hit. via @reporterich pic.twitter.com/09SRhZ21pDStriking junior doctors in #Bradford pay tribute to Sir George Martin with a classic Beatles hit. via @reporterich pic.twitter.com/09SRhZ21pD
11.40am GMT11.40am GMT
11:4011:40
As well as picketing, striking junior doctors are doing other things with their time today.As well as picketing, striking junior doctors are doing other things with their time today.
There are around 25 free lifesaving for parents being held by junior doctors across England as part of an initiative called #littlelifesavers.There are around 25 free lifesaving for parents being held by junior doctors across England as part of an initiative called #littlelifesavers.
Babysitting for #littlelifesavers #JuniorDoctorsStrike #tooting pic.twitter.com/HVZCLbb6UQBabysitting for #littlelifesavers #JuniorDoctorsStrike #tooting pic.twitter.com/HVZCLbb6UQ
As on the days of previous strikes, some junior doctors are giving blood.As on the days of previous strikes, some junior doctors are giving blood.
#dearmrhunt junior doctors are lifesavers every day of the week #giveblood #JuniorDoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/qQrlBmDp6N#dearmrhunt junior doctors are lifesavers every day of the week #giveblood #JuniorDoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/qQrlBmDp6N
11.26am GMT11.26am GMT
11:2611:26
You know you’re getting old when your doctor is younger than you.You know you’re getting old when your doctor is younger than you.
Young supporter on the picket line at UCLH #juniorcontract pic.twitter.com/SetgsyoBpEYoung supporter on the picket line at UCLH #juniorcontract pic.twitter.com/SetgsyoBpE
11.17am GMT11.17am GMT
11:1711:17
Rosalyn Roden, for the Guardian, has been talking to striking junior doctors outside the Royal Liverpool university hospital, where members of the Merseyside Pensioners Association, the GMB and Unite have shown up to show their solidarity.Rosalyn Roden, for the Guardian, has been talking to striking junior doctors outside the Royal Liverpool university hospital, where members of the Merseyside Pensioners Association, the GMB and Unite have shown up to show their solidarity.
A spokesman for the trust said they cancelled 20 appointments this morning.A spokesman for the trust said they cancelled 20 appointments this morning.
Dr Aaron Borbora, deputy chair of the BMA junior doctors committee, and radiology registrar at Leighton hospital, in Crewe, said:Dr Aaron Borbora, deputy chair of the BMA junior doctors committee, and radiology registrar at Leighton hospital, in Crewe, said:
I think the first stage is we need to be treated as a valued part of the team. And allow us to care for the patients in the best way possible. The government needs to stop mistreating us and talk to us in a sensible way.I think the first stage is we need to be treated as a valued part of the team. And allow us to care for the patients in the best way possible. The government needs to stop mistreating us and talk to us in a sensible way.
None of us want to take strike action. It is not something we have come to lightly. We don’t feel that we have any other option.None of us want to take strike action. It is not something we have come to lightly. We don’t feel that we have any other option.
I have sat down with the government so I have lived and breathed this for the last few months. The best hope of change is if the government withdraws imposition and starts to address our concerns seriously.I have sat down with the government so I have lived and breathed this for the last few months. The best hope of change is if the government withdraws imposition and starts to address our concerns seriously.
Alice Holmes, 29, a junior doctor in Liverpool voices her feelings about the contract due to be imposed in August pic.twitter.com/AhoojN3q3BAlice Holmes, 29, a junior doctor in Liverpool voices her feelings about the contract due to be imposed in August pic.twitter.com/AhoojN3q3B
Navdeep Upile, 34, an ENT registrar expresses why he is striking today pic.twitter.com/CLa4g436S6Navdeep Upile, 34, an ENT registrar expresses why he is striking today pic.twitter.com/CLa4g436S6
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.45am GMTat 11.45am GMT
11.03am GMT11.03am GMT
11:0311:03
Kailash Chand, deputy chair of the BMA, has written for the Guardian’s Healthcare network, accusing Jeremy Hunt of “misusing statistics as a way to impose the new junior doctor contract”. The health secretary, he says, would be in front of a fitness to practise tribunal if he were a medic.Kailash Chand, deputy chair of the BMA, has written for the Guardian’s Healthcare network, accusing Jeremy Hunt of “misusing statistics as a way to impose the new junior doctor contract”. The health secretary, he says, would be in front of a fitness to practise tribunal if he were a medic.
Chand writes:Chand writes:
Hunt has managed to insult and alienate NHS staff across the board. To lose a large swath of junior doctors in the early stages of their careers would be a disaster for the NHS. And the number of GPs and consultants who are considering retiring early is staggeringly high and a huge worry for the NHS and patient care. The health service could be left with a shortage of clinicians, with the remaining doctors spread too thinly. We will have fewer staff in an even less safe NHS.Hunt has managed to insult and alienate NHS staff across the board. To lose a large swath of junior doctors in the early stages of their careers would be a disaster for the NHS. And the number of GPs and consultants who are considering retiring early is staggeringly high and a huge worry for the NHS and patient care. The health service could be left with a shortage of clinicians, with the remaining doctors spread too thinly. We will have fewer staff in an even less safe NHS.
10.55am GMT10.55am GMT
10:5510:55
Aisha GaniAisha Gani
Junior doctors in East London are in high spirits but adamant they must win against the health secretary Jeremy Hunt on the contracts issue. They pounded the pavement in Whitechapel handing out leaflets to passersby.Junior doctors in East London are in high spirits but adamant they must win against the health secretary Jeremy Hunt on the contracts issue. They pounded the pavement in Whitechapel handing out leaflets to passersby.
Jackie Applebee is a GP and has been active in support of the junior doctors strike. She said:Jackie Applebee is a GP and has been active in support of the junior doctors strike. She said:
I think it’s really important they win this dispute. It’s outrageous the government is implying it’s a pay rise when the number of unsocial hours is going up.I think it’s really important they win this dispute. It’s outrageous the government is implying it’s a pay rise when the number of unsocial hours is going up.
Jackie a GP fears clocks are turning back. As a junior doctor in late 80s she worked 100hr weeks, which was unsafe pic.twitter.com/prVow193teJackie a GP fears clocks are turning back. As a junior doctor in late 80s she worked 100hr weeks, which was unsafe pic.twitter.com/prVow193te
Applebee said Saturdays will be treated like a Wednesday and added the problem was that “the safety mechanisms are going to be relaxed”.Applebee said Saturdays will be treated like a Wednesday and added the problem was that “the safety mechanisms are going to be relaxed”.
“There is a workforce shortage and so more rotated and more tired,” she said.“There is a workforce shortage and so more rotated and more tired,” she said.
She said she was fearful the clocks would be turned back for junior doctors to how it was for her when she was a junior doctor in the late 1980s.She said she was fearful the clocks would be turned back for junior doctors to how it was for her when she was a junior doctor in the late 1980s.
It was usual to do Monday to Friday and often doctors spent every third night on call. If you were on call on the weekend you would be covering from a normal day on Friday until the end of a normal day on Monday.It was usual to do Monday to Friday and often doctors spent every third night on call. If you were on call on the weekend you would be covering from a normal day on Friday until the end of a normal day on Monday.
There was very little sleep while on obstetrics - there could be a beep anytime.There was very little sleep while on obstetrics - there could be a beep anytime.
Applebee said she often did a 100 hour week and feared current doctors will face the same.Applebee said she often did a 100 hour week and feared current doctors will face the same.
I remember how tired I would be and we risk going back to that.I remember how tired I would be and we risk going back to that.
There’s a workforce crisis and doctors are going to Australia and GPs are retiring and people aren’t going into this field.There’s a workforce crisis and doctors are going to Australia and GPs are retiring and people aren’t going into this field.
Who will look after us? The public need to understand this. The message to the public is the government is doing this to junior doctors and if they win they will do he same to nurses and GPs, going towards a system like (the United States of) America while America is moving away from the system.Who will look after us? The public need to understand this. The message to the public is the government is doing this to junior doctors and if they win they will do he same to nurses and GPs, going towards a system like (the United States of) America while America is moving away from the system.
We are throwing the baby out with the bathwater and we’ll end up with a two tiered NHS.We are throwing the baby out with the bathwater and we’ll end up with a two tiered NHS.
Standing in the rain in his scrubs, Edward, who has been a paediatrician for eleven years, said it would soon be time to escalate action. “We have to win” he said.Standing in the rain in his scrubs, Edward, who has been a paediatrician for eleven years, said it would soon be time to escalate action. “We have to win” he said.
Edward has been a junior doctor for 11 years and is a paediatrician. He said it was time to escalate action pic.twitter.com/aChSARteoHEdward has been a junior doctor for 11 years and is a paediatrician. He said it was time to escalate action pic.twitter.com/aChSARteoH
10.46am GMT
10:46
Dr Ros Kings, on the picket line outside Chelsea and Westminster, told Philip Mansell that Jeremy Hunt should negotiate further with the BMA.
She said:
Junior doctors are vulnerable because of our yearly contract. If this contract is imposed it could be used as a lever and it could have a knock on affect on other roles in the NHS. There’s no opposition to a seven-day NHS if it’s thought through and staffed properly.
Dr Ros Kings feels that an imposed contract could be used as a "lever" #JuniorDoctorsStrike @Haroon_Siddique pic.twitter.com/OaWfmmSyTr
10.42am GMT
10:42
Striking junior doctors in Bishop’s Stortford are running free CPR training sessions for the public today and tomorrow.
Junior doctor Zohra Qureshi told the Herts and Essex Observer:
We feel we still want to do something worthwhile even though we are not at our jobs.
We are not striking because we want a free day off, we are not being paid. We want to do something to raise the issue and to give something back to the community.
10.38am GMT
10:38
Here’s a video of junior doctors in east London.
10.37am GMT
10:37
A “blue light” candle lit vigil will be held outside Downing Street this evening from 8.30pm “to remind the government and public that the NHS is already 24/7”.
It has been organised by by Dr Julia Prague, a medical registrar in London who qualified eight years ago, to coincide with the strike. She said:
I organised this themed vigil because the NHS is already 24/7, providing high quality care at the point of entry, and despite this the NHS is being left out in the cold by the government: underfunded and undervalued in the face of political point scoring and game playing, which is demoralising doctors and other front line staff. Imposition of an unsafe and unfair contract will only make matters worse.”
Staff and patients will stand together, united at dark, from 8.30pm to 10.45pm, holding blue candle lights while the National Health Singers choir sings Yours, an anthem calling for protection of the NHS.
10.28am GMT
10:28
The strike in England – and the prospect of junior doctors leaving the UK for jobs abroad because of concerns over the new contract – may be an opportunity for health boards in Wales.
Doctors at the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board – which covers Swansea, Port Talbot, Neath, Bridgend – have contributed to a video inviting professionals to re-locate to south Wales rather than New South Wales, in Australia.
They don’t focus on the strike but extol the virtues of the region: the lovely beaches, countryside, affordability and the job and training opportunities.
Here’s the video:
So far it has been viewed 70,000 times since being launched on Friday.
The Labour-controlled Welsh government is, of course, more nakedly political. It has been keen to point out that there is no strike in Wales. At the end of last year it launched a recruitment drive pointedly aimed at disillusioned English trainees.
10.05am GMT
10:05
Mark Oliver
There were around 20 doctors at picket lines on different sides of the road outside King’s College hospital in Camberwell, south London, this morning.
They were listening to Sweet Alabama to keep up spirits.
In the walk-in blood test department it took just two minutes to see a nurse. “It seems less busy today at the moment,” one of the nurses said, adding “you did well” as they put a little bandage on my arm.
9.52am GMT
09:52
It’s a dog’s life being a junior doctor.
Buster supports #JuniorDoctorsStrike @Bath_Doctors and he'd like @Jeremy_Hunt to listen before he gets any wetter pic.twitter.com/fOxjymD363
9.49am GMT
09:49
This tweet is from the chair of the BMA junior doctors committee.
UCH this morning in the wet weather. Lots of support from public and staff pic.twitter.com/M9Aif1KcaQ
9.47am GMT
09:47
This is a succinct summary of why the junior doctors are striking:
Quick reminder as to why we are striking (via BMA) pic.twitter.com/NKBeomPT9l
9.44am GMT
09:44
It’s no surprise to find veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner, one of the hardest working politicians, on the picket line.
84 and on the doctors' picket line. Got to love Dennis Skinner for his commitment pic.twitter.com/ucX7VellIX