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Junior doctors strike: Cameron says withdrawal of emergency care 'not right' - live Junior doctors strike: Cameron says withdrawal of emergency care 'not right' - live
(about 1 hour later)
1.42pm BST
13:42
A junior doctor tells Frances Perraudin she feels completely undermined.
Nada Khan, a junior doc striking in L'pool, says she changed careers aged 30 to be a doc and is feeling demoralised. pic.twitter.com/YMVOYtjrvK
1.30pm BST
13:30
Members of the Communications Workers Union have showed up in support of striking junior doctors at Bournemouth Royal hospital.
It's got busy at the Bournemouth Royal. CWU union is in town for conference and has popped over to show solidarity. pic.twitter.com/VcI00246Jj
1.26pm BST
13:26
Damien Gayle
Junior doctors from King’s College hospital, south London, plan to depart from their pickets in an open-top bus this afternoon to tour nearby communities, speaking with local people and trying to get their message across.
They will pick up teachers and nurses before heading on to join colleagues at St Thomas’. A big march is due to depart at 5pm from the pickets at the riverside hospital over into Westminster and on to the Department for Health.
The doctors said:
We’ve got a vintage open-top bus and the plan is to mobilise doctors into our local community, who have been very supportive, to get our side of the story across. This idea that it’s about Saturday pay is not the case. We are trying to push through that spin and get the arguments out. We’ve got loads of leaflets and banners and we’ll make it a bit more visual.
The NUT (teachers union) are going to get on board, some of the nurses are going to come, and then we are going to end up at St Thomas’ for 5pm, for the big march.
#juniordoctors and teachers planning big march tonight from St Thomas' Hospital to support #JuniorDoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/M9k5Av7g8I
1.22pm BST
13:22
At South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust 40 trainees have attended work duties today out of a total of 246* (approximately one in six of the junior doctor workforce), according to Tony Rao, consultant psychiatrist at the trust and chair of the BMA’s local negotiating committee.
He said:
Having over 80% of junior doctors taking part in industrial action is a sad reflection of the strength of feeling about imposition of the junior contract.
*this figure was amended as the initial figure was incorrect.
Updated
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1.14pm BST
13:14
I was wondering if we would see any Prince tributes...
Great signs #RIPPrince #juniorscontract #timetotalkjeremy @TheBMA @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/5bYLvS41ZU pic.twitter.com/EHO1r21Q71
1.09pm BST
13:09
Damien Gayle
Tom Gilberthorpe, a senior trainee psychiatrist at the Maudsley, says he is worried that the imposition of the new contract will particularly affect doctors working in mental health.
Tom Gilberthorpe, a senior psychiatrist at the Maudsley, with a message for the government #JuniorDoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/96HSwBnhF0
For me, as a psychiatric trainee, we are on call and out-of-hours work takes place from home – we are called into hospital. But obviously we are on call for periods of 24 hours often and we can be called at any time throughout that period. Given that we are not based in the hospital, the government sees an opportunity in the new contract to target our pay.
The other major impact on psychiatrists in some respects is that there are many who opt to do less than full-time training. That means I work 80% – I have a day at home to look after my daughter. The new contract will disproportionately affect those trainees that are on less than full-time contracts, and the majority of those are women who take time off for maternity.
One of the overriding issues that’s led to an impasse is the unsociable hours pay, which for people who have family is something we want to protect. We want to protect our weekends and be fairly remunerated for the time we work unsociable hours.
Jeremy Hunt seems to have focused a lot of his spin on the notion that the BMA and junior doctors are striking purely because of a small point about the Saturday and neglects to address the issue of whether or not the proposed contract and seven-day NHS services are indeed safe and sustainable. He’s made his conclusions in the absence of modelling or piloting the contract, or any robust evidence to suggest that seven-day services, as he proposes, will have any impact on mortality or patient outcomes.
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1.05pm BST
13:05
Pun of the day and a cute animal picture to boot.
This #NHS #JuniorContract is a-PAW-ling #NotSafeNotFair @georgesjuniors @TheBMA #TimeToTalkJeremy pic.twitter.com/MeIzuBHvLG
12.51pm BST
12:51
Aisha Gani
Brad came out of St Thomas’ hospital, in central London, and asked the doctors for a badge to show his support for them. “Can I have one for my baby as well?” he asked.
Spoke to Brad an American whose wife is in hospital and expecting a baby in two days, and picked up a badge for baby pic.twitter.com/0LMIydX4bz
Originally from the United States, where he says it costs upwards of $20,000 (around £14,000) to have a baby, he said:
I am proud to be supporting the junior doctors. I am becoming a father, my baby is due tomorrow and my wife is inside [the hospital].
I just think you’re talking about one of the most vital services in the country and I don’t think people become doctors for money or greed. The hours they work already, politicians wouldn’t want to do themselves. They [doctors] have gone through years and years of schooling and everyone in society deserves respect and if you don’t give good conditions and working conditions it undermines the service they do.
He said he wanted his baby to have consistency of care growing up and a safe and secure place for the baby to be treated.
Another man came out of the hospital and approached doctors. He took a sticker and said:
I’d like to register my support. I had a heart attack five days ago. You saved my life. It’s not about the money it’s what they do. And you should chuck Jeremy Hunt in the fucking river.”
He shook their hands and crossed the road. Taxis continue to beep their support, but one jogger shouted “shame on you”.
A consultant came out and handed his colleagues cups of tea and said he was supporting them.
Updated
at 1.15pm BST
12.46pm BST
12:46
Junior doctor Don Lindop told Frances Perraudin that this “is one of the biggest issues the NHS has faced in the last 40 to 50 years”.
Don Lindop, a junior doctor in Liverpool, says there hasn't been nearly enough media coverage of the strike. pic.twitter.com/GSNXgJV2Rj
12.29pm BST12.29pm BST
12:2912:29
Lunchtime summaryLunchtime summary
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.31pm BST at 12.48pm BST
12.29pm BST12.29pm BST
12:2912:29
Anushka AsthanaAnushka Asthana
David Cameron is being kept updated on the strike by junior doctors, according to his official spokeswoman, who said there had been a series of contingency planning meetings. David Cameron is being kept updated on the junior doctors strike, according to his official spokeswoman, who said there had been a series of contingency planning meetings.
She questioned the motivations of the doctors and compared their position to other public sector works. She questioned the motivations of the doctors and compared their position with other public sector workers.
You look at the impact on patients today and the concerns on risk, people are asking ‘is this an appropriate and proportionate response?’ You look at the impact on patients today and the concerns on risk, people are asking: ‘Is this an appropriate and proportionate response?’
On some of the issues at the heart of this, on Saturday pay, junior doctors earn more than ambulance workers, nurses, healthcare assistants, and others in the public sector like police officers and fireman who also work on a Saturday. It is important that people understand the contract is on average going to lead to an increase in basic pay of 13.5%. On some of the issues at the heart of this, on Saturday pay, junior doctors earn more than ambulance workers, nurses, healthcare assistants, and others in the public sector like police officers and firemen, who also work on a Saturday. It is important that people understand the contract is on average going to lead to an increase in basic pay of 13.5%.
She said the health secretary had written to the chair of the board of the BMA.She said the health secretary had written to the chair of the board of the BMA.
We would like to work with them on this and move forward. We’ve had three years of talks, there have been numerous concessions, we have done all we could to avoid these strikes.We would like to work with them on this and move forward. We’ve had three years of talks, there have been numerous concessions, we have done all we could to avoid these strikes.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.30pm BST at 12.44pm BST
12.25pm BST12.25pm BST
12:2512:25
Dr Tony Rao, consultant psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust, says that 230 consultants and 20 middle grade doctors are reporting for work to cover junior doctors who are taking industrial action today.Dr Tony Rao, consultant psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust, says that 230 consultants and 20 middle grade doctors are reporting for work to cover junior doctors who are taking industrial action today.
He said:He said:
Our trust has provided a safe and carefully planned system in each of its four boroughs to ensure that there is sufficient emergency cover to meet the extra demand.Our trust has provided a safe and carefully planned system in each of its four boroughs to ensure that there is sufficient emergency cover to meet the extra demand.
Rao said that he had not managed to obtain figures for how many junior doctors had shown up for work.Rao said that he had not managed to obtain figures for how many junior doctors had shown up for work.
12.07pm BST12.07pm BST
12:0712:07
National Voices, a coalition of more than 140 health and social care charities, has offered to mediate in the contract dispute.National Voices, a coalition of more than 140 health and social care charities, has offered to mediate in the contract dispute.
In a blog on the coalition’s website, chief executive Jeremy Taylor writes:In a blog on the coalition’s website, chief executive Jeremy Taylor writes:
Why have talks not resumed? There is some evidence that neither side actually wants a resolution and that for different reasons, they are spoiling for a fight. Let us hope this is not the case. A perhaps more plausible explanation has to do with psychology. The dispute is now a classic stand-off in which neither side can back down without losing face ...Why have talks not resumed? There is some evidence that neither side actually wants a resolution and that for different reasons, they are spoiling for a fight. Let us hope this is not the case. A perhaps more plausible explanation has to do with psychology. The dispute is now a classic stand-off in which neither side can back down without losing face ...
This is classic territory for mediation by an independent and trusted third party. It could for example be the charities and patient organisations under the umbrella of National Voices. We would be very happy to provide the neutral space for talks to resume, and to help find a suitable mediator. All of this would of course have to be out of the glare of publicity. Either party need only pick up the phone to us to start the ball rolling. Some might think this naïve. I am happy to be accused of naivety if the alternative is a continuing game of chicken between the government and the BMA for which patients pay the price.This is classic territory for mediation by an independent and trusted third party. It could for example be the charities and patient organisations under the umbrella of National Voices. We would be very happy to provide the neutral space for talks to resume, and to help find a suitable mediator. All of this would of course have to be out of the glare of publicity. Either party need only pick up the phone to us to start the ball rolling. Some might think this naïve. I am happy to be accused of naivety if the alternative is a continuing game of chicken between the government and the BMA for which patients pay the price.
12.03pm BST12.03pm BST
12:0312:03
Helen PiddHelen Pidd
The waiting room in the A&E department at Manchester Royal Infirmary has rarely been so quiet, according to seasoned staff, reports Helen Pidd.The waiting room in the A&E department at Manchester Royal Infirmary has rarely been so quiet, according to seasoned staff, reports Helen Pidd.
A video display on Tuesday morning said that the wait was one hour maximum, with anyone requiring immediate care guaranteed on-the-spot treatment. There were just two people in the usually busy waiting room at 10am. Waits of well over four hours are common, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, say junior doctors.A video display on Tuesday morning said that the wait was one hour maximum, with anyone requiring immediate care guaranteed on-the-spot treatment. There were just two people in the usually busy waiting room at 10am. Waits of well over four hours are common, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, say junior doctors.
Outside, one paramedic said it would be a good day to get ill in Manchester, with casualty staffed entirely by consultants. “It’s always like this on strike days: for once, they’re over-staffed rather than under-staffed, and with the best qualified doctors in the hospital,” said the ambulance worker.Outside, one paramedic said it would be a good day to get ill in Manchester, with casualty staffed entirely by consultants. “It’s always like this on strike days: for once, they’re over-staffed rather than under-staffed, and with the best qualified doctors in the hospital,” said the ambulance worker.
On Oxford Road, around 50 doctors waved placards in what medics said was their biggest picket yet. All said they knew of no junior doctors who had crossed the picket line. Attending his second picket was Rudy the cocker spaniel, who was sporting a tabard saying: “Dogs 4 Evidence Based Contracts.”On Oxford Road, around 50 doctors waved placards in what medics said was their biggest picket yet. All said they knew of no junior doctors who had crossed the picket line. Attending his second picket was Rudy the cocker spaniel, who was sporting a tabard saying: “Dogs 4 Evidence Based Contracts.”
His owners, Max Clayton-Smith, 30, a trainee anaesthetist, and Annalie Clark, 29, training to be a psychiatrist, said they feared that the new contract would jeopardise patient safety.His owners, Max Clayton-Smith, 30, a trainee anaesthetist, and Annalie Clark, 29, training to be a psychiatrist, said they feared that the new contract would jeopardise patient safety.
“The new contract will obviously cause problems with the recruitment and retention of staff in specialities which already have a significant out of hours burden, such as paediatrics, A&E and psychiatry,” said Clayton-Smith, who works at Chorley hospital in Lancashire, which recently had to shut down its emergency department because of staff shortages.“The new contract will obviously cause problems with the recruitment and retention of staff in specialities which already have a significant out of hours burden, such as paediatrics, A&E and psychiatry,” said Clayton-Smith, who works at Chorley hospital in Lancashire, which recently had to shut down its emergency department because of staff shortages.
If you’re asking those doctors to do even more antisocial hours for less pay, even fewer trainees would choose those specialisms, he suggested. His fiancee, Clark, said the couple had already had serious discussions about one of them leaving medicine all together if they start a family: “It’s definitely affected us, as two doctors. If Saturday is just another normal working day, I don’t know how you are supposed to manage if you have children.”If you’re asking those doctors to do even more antisocial hours for less pay, even fewer trainees would choose those specialisms, he suggested. His fiancee, Clark, said the couple had already had serious discussions about one of them leaving medicine all together if they start a family: “It’s definitely affected us, as two doctors. If Saturday is just another normal working day, I don’t know how you are supposed to manage if you have children.”
This is Rudy, the striking cocker spaniel, representing Dogs 4 Evidence Based Contracts on his second picket at MRI pic.twitter.com/4sNR0RBEKqThis is Rudy, the striking cocker spaniel, representing Dogs 4 Evidence Based Contracts on his second picket at MRI pic.twitter.com/4sNR0RBEKq
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.10pm BSTat 12.10pm BST
11.54am BST11.54am BST
11:5411:54
No junior doctors have turned up for work at Hammersmith hospital today, this registrar claims.No junior doctors have turned up for work at Hammersmith hospital today, this registrar claims.
Site managers @ImperialNHS confirming: no #juniordoctors in hospital and #EmergencyCover safe. #timetotalkjeremy pic.twitter.com/SHm13euI1USite managers @ImperialNHS confirming: no #juniordoctors in hospital and #EmergencyCover safe. #timetotalkjeremy pic.twitter.com/SHm13euI1U
11.54am BST11.54am BST
11:5411:54
Ben White, who resigned live on TV yesterday, joined the picket at Newham general hospital.Ben White, who resigned live on TV yesterday, joined the picket at Newham general hospital.
White, 33, now former gastroenterologist: "If you believe in patient's safety you are against this contract" pic.twitter.com/7PVnyYlTsDWhite, 33, now former gastroenterologist: "If you believe in patient's safety you are against this contract" pic.twitter.com/7PVnyYlTsD
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at 12.06pm BSTat 12.06pm BST
11.46am BST11.46am BST
11:4611:46
Junior doctors have been receiving messages of support – and donations – from around the world.Junior doctors have been receiving messages of support – and donations – from around the world.
More than 1,000 people have raised £23k to support the #juniordoctors on JustGiving #poweredbypeople pic.twitter.com/cd58ZzG0kEMore than 1,000 people have raised £23k to support the #juniordoctors on JustGiving #poweredbypeople pic.twitter.com/cd58ZzG0kE
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.53am BSTat 11.53am BST
11.36am BST11.36am BST
11:3611:36
Strike is 'not right' – David CameronStrike is 'not right' – David Cameron
The prime minister has given his backing to Jeremy Hunt’s handling of the dispute with junior doctors.The prime minister has given his backing to Jeremy Hunt’s handling of the dispute with junior doctors.
He told ITV News:He told ITV News:
There is a good contract on the table with a 13.5% increase in basic pay – 75% of doctors will be better off with this contract.There is a good contract on the table with a 13.5% increase in basic pay – 75% of doctors will be better off with this contract.
It’s the wrong thing to do to go ahead with this strike, and particularly to go ahead with the withdrawal of emergency care – that is not right.It’s the wrong thing to do to go ahead with this strike, and particularly to go ahead with the withdrawal of emergency care – that is not right.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.52am BSTat 11.52am BST
11.34am BST
11:34
Doctors on the picket line at Royal Oldham hospital have received a message of support – and some appropriately named chocolates to keep them going – from a local primary school.
Teachers and doctors standing strong together, thank you Knowsley Juniors! @TheBMA @johannmalawana pic.twitter.com/5dTOgFh2E3
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at 11.52am BST
11.29am BST
11:29
This card from a former junior doctor who quit the profession in December – “Couldn’t take it anymore” – was sent to a picket line in central London.
So sad to receive this at St Thomas picket. Thank you so much for the support. #JuniorDoctorsStrike @STRJDC @TheBMA pic.twitter.com/iXHYWYbDpg
Updated
at 11.50am BST
11.21am BST
11:21
Frances Perraudin
Nusiba Taufik, a junior doctor in her first year of training, has been on the picket line outside the Royal Liverpool University hospital during all of the four previous strikes. Frances Perraudin has been talking to her.
“It’s taken us a while to get to this point and a lot of us were nervous about the fact that it was a full walk-out, but the consultants reassured us that everyone was going to be safe,” she said.
“The strike is only until 5pm, so I’m sure they can hold the reins until then. Obviously they are the most senior doctors in the hospital and they have the most clinical knowledge and management skills, so we were all reassured by that.”
Taufik says public support doesn’t seem to have waned at all in Liverpool since the first strike.
“There were warnings that it would if we went to a full walkout, but we’ve had loads of members of the public come and visit the picket,” she said. “People in Liverpool are obviously more politically inclined than other parts of the country, but even national opinion polls suggest most of the public still support the strike.”
Taufik said she was hoping up until the last minute that the strike would be called off.
“Yesterday when Hunt came out to do his speech we were all still in work waiting for an announcement, possibly to stop the strike,” she added. “We were all really hoping that it wouldn’t come to this … [Hunt] obviously realises that if we were to have a proper public debate he wouldn’t come out of it very well.”
Updated
at 11.49am BST
11.21am BST
11:21
William Hill is offering odds of 11-10 that Jeremy Hunt will cease to be in the job before the end of 2016.
“Mr Hunt is taking a firm line over the doctors’ strike which could ultimately cost him what he has already called his ‘last big job in politics’,” said the bookmaker’s spokesman, Graham Sharpe.
Updated
at 11.47am BST
11.15am BST
11:15
Damien Gayle
So a lady fell down in front of me in the street and I've had to take her to A&E. Treatment fast and efficient despite #JuniorDoctorsStrike
11.08am BST
11:08
Alessio Perrone, at Newham hospital, in London, for the Guardian, has been speaking to Eva Tan, a junior doctor for care for the elderly. She said:
I’m a mother, a woman, and I work part-time. I’m already working long hours – often without the time to eat or go to the toilet – without a break. I would be affected greatly [by the new contract].
People must know that there are still more doctors in hospitals today than during bank holidays. We aren’t covered during annual leave, and hospitals are understaffed. There are more and more gaps in the rotas at Newham general hospital. It’s a big problem. I’ve worked in Germany as well, and there we were always covered.
If [Jeremy] Hunt wants to have a real seven-day NHS he should improve emergency care. This plan about elective care doesn’t make sense, it wouldn’t have an impact on it.
Updated
at 11.12am BST
10.58am BST
10:58
Here is audio of the health secretary on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He said that health secretaries are never popular but “what history judges is did you take the tough and difficult decisions that enable the NHS to deliver high quality care for patients”.
10.56am BST
10:56
Some health professionals have responded to a Guardian callout for their views. Here’s a sample of what they said.
Medical HR manager, Lancashire
I think the British Medical Association (BMA) has muddled the dispute with a much broader issue regarding privatisation and funding. Having worked with junior doctors and their contracts for over 20 years, this contract reduces hours universally, provides better safeguards and for those who work the hardest, and offers significant pay increases. The dispute has also been mishandled by Jeremy Hunt, but the Department of Health is right to proceed with the terms, having made concessions along the way, not replicated by the BMA.
Ben Norris, junior doctor, general medicine, south England
I’m concerned that some of my colleagues joining the strike are doing so without having studied the proposed terms in detail. It’s extremely worrying how many junior doctors I’ve spoken to are either wrong or misinformed about basic aspects of a contract they purport to oppose. I’m also worried. How much further will this go? I cannot countenance an indefinite walkout.
District nurse, community, Derbyshire
Although I may not fully agree with the potential impact on patients (and nurses who will be bearing the weight), they are doing this on principle for the benefit of all NHS staff. If the precedent for reducing unsocial hours is set, it would be catastrophic for nurses – we would see a lot more leave the profession, or their jobs to become agency nurses.
Updated
at 11.07am BST
10.54am BST
10:54
JK Rowling has backed the striking junior doctors on Twitter:
Doctors who have been loyal 2 the NHS for years rather than chase £ abroad don't deserve to be accused of greed. https://t.co/E9oLRyqiaI
Every doctor I know fears making a mistake above all else. This contract spreads the same resources more thinly. https://t.co/E9oLRyqiaI
10.51am BST
10:51
Simran Singh, BMA union leader at Newham general hospital, told Alessio Perrone, at the hospital for the Guardian, that only two junior doctors have chosen to work there today.
Singh said:
As far as I’m aware, only two doctors out of over a hundred are choosing to work today.
Previous surveys found the strike would have 78% of support, and of the remaining 22% many were on annual leave or emergency cover. I would be enormously surprised if turnout is below 70-80%.
Simran Singh, union leader at Newham General Hospital: "only 2 jr doctors chose to work today" #juniordoctorstrike pic.twitter.com/Y3Sf8zkH5G
A consultant working in acute care, who did not wish her name or her hospital to be identified, told the Guardian’s Aisha Gani that six out of 16 junior doctors had showed up in the department where she was working:
In obstetrics and gynaecology, eight registrars should be here and we have three today. There should be six senior house officers and we have three. We should have two F1 who haven’t turned up. As a result we have seven consultants acting as the juniors and covering emergency work.
Updated
at 11.06am BST