Junior doctors’ strike: Chorlton GP speaks out in support of striking medics as they prepare to take controversial action
30Th November, 2015
BY KARIM ADAB
Dr Karim Adab tells you everthing you need to know about the junior doctors strikes in December
Junior Doctors protest
The contract is unsafe because it removes financial penalties for hospitals that overwork junior doctors, already massively overstretched after cuts affecting front-line staff.
It is unfair because it penalises doctors who take time out from training to change specialities, conduct research or raise a family.
The term ‘junior doctor is misleading, as it refers to any doctor who has not completed their training to become a GP or Consultant. Many will have up to a decade’s experience at the coal face.
What’s extremely important to realise that all hospital consultants and GPs will be working as normal throughout the entire period.
You should still attend your GP appointments as planned. If you have an emergency, please go to A&E.
For the most part, it’ll be business as usual in our 24 hour, 7 day NHS.
Junior Doctors protest
The contract is unsafe because it removes financial penalties for hospitals that overwork junior doctors, already massively overstretched after cuts affecting front-line staff.
It is unfair because it penalises doctors who take time out from training to change specialities, conduct research or raise a family.
The term ‘junior doctor is misleading, as it refers to any doctor who has not completed their training to become a GP or Consultant. Many will have up to a decade’s experience at the coal face.
What’s extremely important to realise that all hospital consultants and GPs will be working as normal throughout the entire period.
You should still attend your GP appointments as planned. If you have an emergency, please go to A&E.
For the most part, it’ll be business as usual in our 24 hour, 7 day NHS.
Dr Karim Adab, Chorlton GP
The first day of action will see hospitals working to a ‘Christmas Day’ rota for 24 hours, from 8am Tuesday. This means that junior doctors on-call will be in attendance as usual.
The strikes of the December 8 and 16 would involve a full walk-out of all junior staff from 9am-5pm. Routine clinics and operations may be rescheduled.
If the strike does go into its second and third day, hospitals will operate entirely under consultant cover, with many off-duty senior doctors planning to go in to work to support the juniors’ strike.
If you require urgent treatment on either of those days, you’re sure to be seen by a more senior doctor than usual.
Ironically, for these two days, the Government would have the Consultant-led service to which they aspire.
READ MORE: Junior doctors strike on Tuesday: Everything you need to know
The vast majority of GPs and Consultants are in full support of the juniors’ protest, as well as almost all of the Royal Colleges.
We believe that the British public – particularly in Manchester, a city famed for taking nothing lying down – deserve better.
We believe that you deserve an honest discussion about one of our nation’s greatest assets and how you want it to be delivered.
Our colleagues have taken a very difficult short-term decision in an attempt to safeguard the future of the health service.
They would be honoured to count on your support.