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Junior doctors strike: NHS England says 78% did not work today - live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
4.06pm BST | |
16:06 | |
78% of junior doctors did not work today | |
NHS England says the earliest available data “indicates that 78% (21,608) of junior doctors who were expected to be working have not reported for duty today – this includes other forms of absence not just industrial action such as sickness”. | |
4.00pm BST | |
16:00 | |
Aisha Gani | |
Helen who works in paediatrics is based at the Royal London hospital doing all her on-call and weekend shifts there but during days she’s working at a the Wellington Way community centre, also in east London. | |
She has worked overseas but came back to the UK as this is where she trained. She said morale was much better when she was working in New Zealand, as was the attitude to flexibility in training. Just this week she has had 15 email offers of work from New Zealand and would consider going back, she said. | |
The thing I feel guilty about is we’ve been quiet for too long and we’ve been stretched and stretched and stretched and kept saying yes. But If I keep accepting substandard funding then I’m complicit in the system too. | |
She explained that at the Royal London - with four paediatric wards and 80 beds - on a day shift there are usually seven registrars, 11 senior house officers and usually one on-call consultant in. Meanwhile other paediatric consultants are working in the hospital but in operating theatres, clinics and ward rounds. | |
She said: | |
The consultants in paediatrics just came down a while ago and gave support. A consultant said it had been so quiet he saw [only] three patients. | |
They have been extremely supportive but it’s a short term measure and for a two-day stretch but it can’t continue. | |
Helen a paediatric has worked in New Zealand where she said morale and attitude to training was much better pic.twitter.com/XtTbLwqsNO | |
3.25pm BST | 3.25pm BST |
15:25 | 15:25 |
Denis Campbell | Denis Campbell |
Denis Campbell points us to a blog by the widely-respected NHS commentator Roy Lilley, who slates both sides in the junior doctors’ dispute. First he tackles Jeremy Hunt and his determined campaign to turn the health service in England into a truly seven-day service - which he calls a “world-class cock-up”. Lilley says: | |
For the NHS to become a truly seven day service would have been a world-first achievement. So far, making it happen has been a world-class cock-up. Instead of inspiring the NHS to show the world what good looks like, we have provoked the back-bone of the workforce to stand outside hospitals watching ambulances arrive. | |
It is because the 7-day ‘thing’ is a work in progress that the DH, whoever the secretary of state may be, cannot give in to the unions. To concede to the BMA is to become a soft touch for the rest of the groups that are likely to rail against inevitable changes to their working practices. The government cannot give in. They cannot have their election pledge blocked by a trades union. The junior doctors have never been the enemy. Their union is… | |
Then, moving onto the British Medical Association, he is just as coruscating. | Then, moving onto the British Medical Association, he is just as coruscating. |
The BMA find themselves in a similar bind. Recent elections to the BMA council have moved them to the left; they are no friend of this government. This is not about gaps in a rota or a premium for weekend working. This is about the cost of losing a strike. | |
In the same way the [NHS hospital] trusts are the by-standers in this row; picking up the pieces, making the best of too few staff, too high locum costs and too little money, so the junior doctors, their career and reputations will be the collateral damage in a battle the BMA have been quite happy to see them fight. | In the same way the [NHS hospital] trusts are the by-standers in this row; picking up the pieces, making the best of too few staff, too high locum costs and too little money, so the junior doctors, their career and reputations will be the collateral damage in a battle the BMA have been quite happy to see them fight. |
The BMA? Stuck with a plan A that hasn’t worked and a plan B that means more strikes and disruption. You can’t dignify it with the word strategy. | |
Updated | |
at 3.35pm BST | |
3.19pm BST | 3.19pm BST |
15:19 | 15:19 |
Rachel Sinton, a junior doctor on the picket line outside Royal Liverpool University hospital spoke to Frances Perraudin. She said: | Rachel Sinton, a junior doctor on the picket line outside Royal Liverpool University hospital spoke to Frances Perraudin. She said: |
I know so many people who are talking about leaving. They’re demoralised, it just becomes a point where it’s not worth it and we love our jobs. | I know so many people who are talking about leaving. They’re demoralised, it just becomes a point where it’s not worth it and we love our jobs. |
Rachel Sinton, a junior doc in L'pool, says her colleagues regularly have to do the work of 2 or 3 people. pic.twitter.com/Mr4MUKNbTv | Rachel Sinton, a junior doc in L'pool, says her colleagues regularly have to do the work of 2 or 3 people. pic.twitter.com/Mr4MUKNbTv |
3.03pm BST | 3.03pm BST |
15:03 | 15:03 |
The TUC is being urged to organise a national day of action in support of the junior doctors, reports the Press Association. | The TUC is being urged to organise a national day of action in support of the junior doctors, reports the Press Association. |
The executive of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union called for the idea to be discussed at a meeting of the TUC general council on Wednesday. | The executive of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union called for the idea to be discussed at a meeting of the TUC general council on Wednesday. |
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: | PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: |
It is increasingly clear that the Government is deliberately stoking the dispute for political reasons, and that the BMA’s brave response continues to be necessary in defence of patient safety. | It is increasingly clear that the Government is deliberately stoking the dispute for political reasons, and that the BMA’s brave response continues to be necessary in defence of patient safety. |
The junior doctors’ determined action enjoys wide public support and deserves the fullest possible support and solidarity from the trade union movement. | The junior doctors’ determined action enjoys wide public support and deserves the fullest possible support and solidarity from the trade union movement. |
2.56pm BST | 2.56pm BST |
14:56 | 14:56 |
Damien Gayle is now at Lewisham hospital where hail and snow have forced most of the junior doctors indoors. Jonah Dearlove, a second year trainee in the ear, nose and throat department, explained his opposition to the new contract. At the moment his basic salary is £28,000, which he makes up in unsociable hours payments. | Damien Gayle is now at Lewisham hospital where hail and snow have forced most of the junior doctors indoors. Jonah Dearlove, a second year trainee in the ear, nose and throat department, explained his opposition to the new contract. At the moment his basic salary is £28,000, which he makes up in unsociable hours payments. |
“At the moment I can diary card, where we record all of our hours, we go through the BMA and if it’s not in compliance with our terms and conditions then they may have to make a payout to the doctors because they classified them under the wrong pay scale. | “At the moment I can diary card, where we record all of our hours, we go through the BMA and if it’s not in compliance with our terms and conditions then they may have to make a payout to the doctors because they classified them under the wrong pay scale. |
That’s a disincentive for the hospitals to set out rotas that are unsustainable … That stops us from being made to work unsafe hours, and that’s going away.” | That’s a disincentive for the hospitals to set out rotas that are unsustainable … That stops us from being made to work unsafe hours, and that’s going away.” |
According to Dearlove, under the new contracts, instead of having to pay doctors who are being overworked, the hospital would have to pay another fine – to itself. | According to Dearlove, under the new contracts, instead of having to pay doctors who are being overworked, the hospital would have to pay another fine – to itself. |
He went on: “One of the reasons why the contract is being changed is potentially a consequence of the fall-out at Hitchinbrooke (Cambridgeshire), which was taken over by a private company and was given back because they couldn’t run it profitably. | He went on: “One of the reasons why the contract is being changed is potentially a consequence of the fall-out at Hitchinbrooke (Cambridgeshire), which was taken over by a private company and was given back because they couldn’t run it profitably. |
Jonah Dearlove, Lewisham: "Because we've got a monopoly employer the choice is leave medicine or leave the country" pic.twitter.com/zk9sKCpmMI | Jonah Dearlove, Lewisham: "Because we've got a monopoly employer the choice is leave medicine or leave the country" pic.twitter.com/zk9sKCpmMI |
“If they change the doctors contract that will be a chance for them to change all the contracts to bring them in line with this model – the nurses, the support staff, the radiographers. They will be able to cheaply move everyone into working at the weekend, low cost and with no safeguards to prevent the hospital – or ultimately the private provider – from imposing unsafe hours. | “If they change the doctors contract that will be a chance for them to change all the contracts to bring them in line with this model – the nurses, the support staff, the radiographers. They will be able to cheaply move everyone into working at the weekend, low cost and with no safeguards to prevent the hospital – or ultimately the private provider – from imposing unsafe hours. |
“NHS budgets are shrinking in real terms and so in order to get the best value for money the hospital, or private provider, is going to want to staff the rotas in a minimal way. If you don’t have any safeguards on working hours there is nothing to prevent one employer from staffing things in such a way that you are well over your [contracted] working hours. That will leave us with tired doctors who are going to make mistakes and put patients at risk.” | “NHS budgets are shrinking in real terms and so in order to get the best value for money the hospital, or private provider, is going to want to staff the rotas in a minimal way. If you don’t have any safeguards on working hours there is nothing to prevent one employer from staffing things in such a way that you are well over your [contracted] working hours. That will leave us with tired doctors who are going to make mistakes and put patients at risk.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.06pm BST | at 3.06pm BST |
2.51pm BST | 2.51pm BST |
14:51 | 14:51 |
This junior doctor wants the health secretary to know the impact working weekends has had on her love life. | This junior doctor wants the health secretary to know the impact working weekends has had on her love life. |
Best one I've seen so far!(#JuniorDoctorsStrike placard, I mean!) pic.twitter.com/lITO3ToiSo | Best one I've seen so far!(#JuniorDoctorsStrike placard, I mean!) pic.twitter.com/lITO3ToiSo |
2.39pm BST | 2.39pm BST |
14:39 | 14:39 |
Steven Morris | Steven Morris |
Some figures from the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals trust. | Some figures from the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals trust. |
Of the 125 junior doctors who were expected in today, 46 worked. The figure was more like 50% last strike. | Of the 125 junior doctors who were expected in today, 46 worked. The figure was more like 50% last strike. |
The BMA calculates that today and tomorrow about 100 surgical appointments and some 700 outpatient/follow-up appointments will have been lost. That’s not to say they were cancelled at the last moment – they were simply not planned in when they would have been normally. | The BMA calculates that today and tomorrow about 100 surgical appointments and some 700 outpatient/follow-up appointments will have been lost. That’s not to say they were cancelled at the last moment – they were simply not planned in when they would have been normally. |
Basil Fozard, medical director at the trust, said safety of patients had not been compromised. “The key element is that there is solidarity among the consultants and other grades who are supportive of the junior doctors.” He said that A&E, the acute medical unit and most theatres were working normally. | Basil Fozard, medical director at the trust, said safety of patients had not been compromised. “The key element is that there is solidarity among the consultants and other grades who are supportive of the junior doctors.” He said that A&E, the acute medical unit and most theatres were working normally. |
Fozard would not say if he supported the strike but two of his children have taken part in the dispute – and he said he had spoken to them today – which suggests relations are amicable and he may have sympathy. | Fozard would not say if he supported the strike but two of his children have taken part in the dispute – and he said he had spoken to them today – which suggests relations are amicable and he may have sympathy. |
Basil Fozard, medical director at the Royal Bournemouth hospital. pic.twitter.com/6GqhpTBqzf | Basil Fozard, medical director at the Royal Bournemouth hospital. pic.twitter.com/6GqhpTBqzf |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.11pm BST | at 3.11pm BST |
2.35pm BST | 2.35pm BST |
14:35 | 14:35 |
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to David Cameron urging the government to return to the negotiating table with junior doctors’ leaders. | Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to David Cameron urging the government to return to the negotiating table with junior doctors’ leaders. |
UK Govt needs to talk to junior doctors. Read @NicolaSturgeon’s letter to David Cameron https://t.co/oJLuaLG9aX pic.twitter.com/lztanidiAO | UK Govt needs to talk to junior doctors. Read @NicolaSturgeon’s letter to David Cameron https://t.co/oJLuaLG9aX pic.twitter.com/lztanidiAO |
2.29pm BST | 2.29pm BST |
14:29 | 14:29 |
Senior hospital doctors’ union the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) says there is “growing frustration” among senior clinicians at the government’s failure to act to defuse the dispute. | Senior hospital doctors’ union the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) says there is “growing frustration” among senior clinicians at the government’s failure to act to defuse the dispute. |
Professor Ross Welch, president of the TUC-affiliated HCSA, said: | Professor Ross Welch, president of the TUC-affiliated HCSA, said: |
Consultants and specialists will be stepping into the breach today to ensure that excellent patient care continues across our NHS for those most in need. | Consultants and specialists will be stepping into the breach today to ensure that excellent patient care continues across our NHS for those most in need. |
Senior hospital doctors have for weeks been working with trusts to ensure that the most vital services, including cancer care, are provided. | Senior hospital doctors have for weeks been working with trusts to ensure that the most vital services, including cancer care, are provided. |
However, they do so with a sense of growing frustration with a government that refuses to lift the threat of planned imposition of the new contract for doctors in training. | However, they do so with a sense of growing frustration with a government that refuses to lift the threat of planned imposition of the new contract for doctors in training. |
The HCSA has always backed in principle the idea of seven-day services, but not at any cost. | The HCSA has always backed in principle the idea of seven-day services, but not at any cost. |
There is no shortcut to a safe seven-day service, and widespread concerns over the impact of the current proposals on recruitment, retention and the health and wellbeing of the next generations of hospital consultants must not be ignored. | There is no shortcut to a safe seven-day service, and widespread concerns over the impact of the current proposals on recruitment, retention and the health and wellbeing of the next generations of hospital consultants must not be ignored. |
Updated | Updated |
at 2.46pm BST | at 2.46pm BST |