Junior doctors

[DaveB]

We have a strict code of ethics too enforced by the fact that we are subjected to market forces. "acting solely in one's interests" is defined how exactly? presumably going on strike is something they are doing for the benefit of us?

Actually it is.

Hunt has consistently misrepresented the original report on mortality following weekend admissions. The reports own authors have called him out on this which is why he's stopped referring to it.

He wants more junior doctors working over weekends in order to provide a "7 day NHS". The NHS already operates 7 days a week and doctors already work weekends, frequently 2 or 3 weeks in a row without a day off. I know this because I used to be married to one.

There are a finite number of doctors available working a finite, and legally enforced, number of hours per week. In order for more hours to be worked at weekends you either need more doctors, which he isn't doing anything about, or you need to reduce hours worked else where, which means poorer service, or you increase the working hours limit which means over stretching the existing medical staff and creating an increase in medical errors due to fatigue.

In either of the latter two cases patient care will suffer.

It's not about money. The BMA has consistently offered to compromise on the contract by accepting a lower pay deal than that on offer in order to fund extra staffing to make up the deficit in hours. Jr doctors are willing to accept less money in return for better staffing to protect patient care.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not imposing the new contract. All three have significant shortfalls in the number of qualified and trainee clinical staff they need. There is a very real possibility that if Hunt proceeds with this doctors will exercise their right to work in a free market by leaving the NHS in England and taking those posts.

[DodgyAgent]

Actually it is.

Hunt has consistently misrepresented the original report on mortality following weekend admissions. The reports own authors have called him out on this which is why he's stopped referring to it.

He wants more junior doctors working over weekends in order to provide a "7 day NHS". The NHS already operates 7 days a week and doctors already work weekends, frequently 2 or 3 weeks in a row without a day off. I know this because I used to be married to one.

There are a finite number of doctors available working a finite, and legally enforced, number of hours per week. In order for more hours to be worked at weekends you either need more doctors, which he isn't doing anything about, or you need to reduce hours worked else where, which means poorer service, or you increase the working hours limit which means over stretching the existing medical staff and creating an increase in medical errors due to fatigue.

In either of the latter two cases patient care will suffer.

It's not about money. The BMA has consistently offered to compromise on the contract by accepting a lower pay deal than that on offer in order to fund extra staffing to make up the deficit in hours. Jr doctors are willing to accept less money in return for better staffing to protect patient care.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not imposing the new contract. All three have significant shortfalls in the number of qualified and trainee clinical staff they need. There is a very real possibility that if Hunt proceeds with this doctors will exercise their right to work in a free market by leaving the NHS in England and taking those posts.

If only it were as simple as that. 'Why having so many women doctors is hurting the NHS' | Daily Mail Online
And though you may be right in placing your sympathy with the NHS I prefer to keep an open mind. I am deeply suspicious of monopolies and people who say they are doing things for the benefit of others. Furthermore weekend NHS availability is a skeleton service. As soon as someone strikes then they reveal themselves as just ordinary people as selfish as the rest of us.

[NickFitz]

As a patient close to death, this is what I learned about the junior doctors' strike from the people treating me | Voices | The Independent

[OnceStonedRose]

I am deeply suspicious of monopolies and people who say they are doing things for the benefit of others.

puhhhleeease? Doctors don't do good for others?

[DodgyAgent]

Your clan will not think twice if selling your grandma on the high street fetches you an extra tenner.

Hope that helps

Already ticked that box

[DodgyAgent]

puhhhleeease? Doctors don't do good for others?

No more or less than the rest of us. It is what they are paid to do.

[MicrosoftBob]

Terrible state of affairs.

"Normalising" unsociable hours and weekends as part of the "normal" working week is disgusting.

It's normal for bob consultancies, is only disgusting for junior doctors ?

[OnceStonedRose]

No more or less than the rest of us. It is what they are paid to do.

You can remove necrosed pancreas, when paid of course? Sling it man.

[OnceStonedRose]

It's normal for bob consultancies, is only disgusting for junior doctors ?

It's disgusting for ANYONE to have longer hours/less pay enforced upon them so no? Why would you think that? If Bob, and Dick and Harry or Pavel or Chuck or Chip etc... take it and accept it then clowns make it difficult for everyone, as is the case now.

[DodgyAgent]

You can remove necrosed pancreas, when paid of course? Sling it man.

Oh so they work for free do they?