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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
(35 minutes later)
2.22pm BST
14:22
The weather has thinned the ranks of picketers at Lewisham hospital.
Heavy rain and hail forced lewisham's #JuniorDoctorsStrike picketers inside. These are who's left pic.twitter.com/WDSWap36lr
2.01pm BST
14:01
Aisha Gani at St Thomas’ hospital near Westminster.
A member of the public has got pizzas for the doctors with "messages from around the world" pic.twitter.com/uuWVTfwvSB
Updated
at 2.02pm BST
1.42pm BST1.42pm BST
13:4213:42
A junior doctor tells Frances Perraudin she feels completely undermined.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/YMVOYtjrvKNada 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 BST1.30pm BST
13:3013:30
Members of the Communications Workers Union have showed up in support of striking junior doctors at Bournemouth Royal hospital.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/VcI00246JjIt'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 BST1.26pm BST
13:2613:26
Damien GayleDamien 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.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.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: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.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.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#juniordoctors and teachers planning big march tonight from St Thomas' Hospital to support #JuniorDoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/M9k5Av7g8I
1.22pm BST1.22pm BST
13:2213:22
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.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: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.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.*this figure was amended as the initial figure was incorrect.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.28pm BSTat 1.28pm BST
1.14pm BST1.14pm BST
13:1413:14
I was wondering if we would see any Prince tributes...I was wondering if we would see any Prince tributes...
Great signs #RIPPrince #juniorscontract #timetotalkjeremy @TheBMA @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/5bYLvS41ZU pic.twitter.com/EHO1r21Q71Great signs #RIPPrince #juniorscontract #timetotalkjeremy @TheBMA @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/5bYLvS41ZU pic.twitter.com/EHO1r21Q71
1.09pm BST1.09pm BST
13:0913:09
Damien GayleDamien 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 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/96HSwBnhF0Tom 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.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.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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.18pm BSTat 1.18pm BST
1.05pm BST1.05pm BST
13:0513:05
Pun of the day and a cute animal picture to boot.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/MeIzuBHvLGThis #NHS #JuniorContract is a-PAW-ling #NotSafeNotFair @georgesjuniors @TheBMA #TimeToTalkJeremy pic.twitter.com/MeIzuBHvLG
12.51pm BST12.51pm BST
12:5112:51
Aisha GaniAisha 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.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/0LMIydX4bzSpoke 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: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 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.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.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: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.”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”.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.A consultant came out and handed his colleagues cups of tea and said he was supporting them.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.15pm BSTat 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 BST
12:29
Lunchtime summary
Updated
at 12.48pm BST
12.29pm BST
12:29
Anushka Asthana
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 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?’
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.
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.
Updated
at 12.44pm BST
12.25pm BST
12:25
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.
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.
Rao said that he had not managed to obtain figures for how many junior doctors had shown up for work.
12.07pm BST
12:07
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:
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.
12.03pm BST
12:03
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.
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.”
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.
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/4sNR0RBEKq
Updated
at 12.10pm BST
11.54am BST
11:54
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/SHm13euI1U
11.54am BST
11:54
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/7PVnyYlTsD
Updated
at 12.06pm BST
11.46am BST
11:46
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/cd58ZzG0kE
Updated
at 11.53am BST
11.36am BST
11:36
Strike is 'not right' – David Cameron
The prime minister has given his backing to Jeremy Hunt’s handling of the dispute with junior doctors.
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.
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.
Updated
at 11.52am BST